> On Jul 18, 10:34 am, Olde Hippee yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>

>> On Jul 17, 9:46 pm, Frank yahoo.com> wrote:

>

>>> On Jul 14, 3:12 pm, Olde Hippee yahoo.com> wrote:

>

>>>> I just read about Ollas or clay pot irrigation. This has been around
>>>> for thousands of years in the Orient, and South American & Mexican
>>>> areas.
>>>> It involves a large, 1 - 1 1/2gallon unglazed clay pot with a small
>>>> opening that is buried up to it's top. It is filled with water which
>>>> leaches out thru the clay. Opening is covered to prevent excessive
>>>> evaporation. Reports say it only has to be filled once a week or every
>>>> 2 weeks. Weeds are discouraged by the lack of excess water.  You sink
>>>> one of the Ollas and plant very close to them, 4 plants around an
>>>> Olla(pronounced  oy-yas).
>>>> The 1 1/2 gal size was about 25$. But there was mention of regular
>>>> clay pots with the hole in the bottom sealed with silicone, again
>>>> covering the top to prevent evaporation. These would be much more
>>>> economcal.  I'll pro'lly try that before I spend $$.
>>>> I'm thinking of using it in my garden with tomatoes and peppers too.
>>>> It also keeps excessive moisture off the leaves and buds which helps
>>>> with mold & mildew.
>>>> Hope this helps someone, Olde Hippee

>

>>> As an experiment, I have salvia (flare) planted in a 5 gallon
>>> pot with a 1/2 gallon terra cotta flowerpot reservoir sunk amidst
>>> them.  Reservoir pot has bottom hole sealed watertight with 2
>>> faucet washers, silicone, and a toilet tank bolt -- leftover plumbing
>>> bits.  Top is a clay saucer turned upside down, more to keep
>>> out mosquitos and algae than to control evaporation.  You lose
>>> *much* more water through transpiration than evaporation.

>

>>> Results are excellent, these are some of the healthiest, most
>>> lush, most vigorous plants I've ever raised.  Pot must be refilled
>>> daily
>>> during hot weather, but irrigates the plants at a consistent,
>>> absolutely
>>> optimum, rate.  The advertised 1.5 gallons / week (in cooler weather)
>>> sounds about right.

>

>>> Technique could be very useful for small, 6 clone SOG
>>> setups.  Maybe also for strawberries or lettuce, maybe
>>> herbs such as mint or basil.

>

>> Thanks for responding to the message.
>>   I also read that a plastic milk bottle could be used if needle holes
>> were made in it, only 3 or 4.  That might work better for guerilla
>> farming due to weight of it being transported to remote gardens.
>> I will be trying some of this in my home garden with tomatoes as they
>> do better if leaves are not dampened due to tomato blight.

>
> Consistent watering keeps tomatoes from cracking.
>

>> The new style milk jugs seem much stronger than the old and are more
>> upright.  They seem a good candidate for a trial. Will report how it
>> works.  Olde Hippee

>
> Anyone asks, tell them the jug is for drinking water, with
> enough to share.  Wait until you get to your destination
> before punching in the needle holes.