Cloth Wicks for SWC?

lowlylowlycook · March 27, 2012

Has anyone tried cloth wicks instead of the soil wicks that the Earthtainer uses? My defective memory told me that the Global Bucket guys did this but I'm guessing that I was thinking of these urban farming guys who suggest terry cloth for the wicks.

Anyway, if anyone has experience with cloth wicks I'd really love to hear it.

JamesL · March 27, 2012

No personal experience but I can offer you these links from my research databank
They use polyester batting. the Green roof guys in Chicago apparently use it with great success.
http://greenroofgrowers.blogspot.com/search?q=wicking
http://www.insideurbangreen.org/2010...gardencom.html

willyb · March 27, 2012

I experimented with several fabrics for wicks. Burlap worked best for me so I used it in my grow bags. They have been wicking for two weeks now and working very well. Cotton towels were 2nd best. The synthetic fabrics were far behind.

chalstonsc · March 27, 2012

Lowly, have used (nylon, I believe, but definitely synthetic) rope wicks for over five years in SWCs, five gallon and larger. Can find cheap in Walmart in the camping equipment area,about a quarter inch thick and very pliable) cut to length needed and singe ends to keep from unraveling...I've used three, about a foot long, in five gal. SWCs I grow tomatoes peppers and eggplants in....no problems and have used the same wicks year after year. In my climate wicks need to work and these do

March 27, 2012	#1
lowlylowlycook Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: So. Illinois (6a) Posts: 150	Cloth Wicks for SWC? Has anyone tried cloth wicks instead of the soil wicks that the Earthtainer uses? My defective memory told me that the Global Bucket guys did this but I'm guessing that I was thinking of these urban farming guys who suggest terry cloth for the wicks. Anyway, if anyone has experience with cloth wicks I'd really love to hear it.

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March 27, 2012	#2
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 861	No personal experience but I can offer you these links from my research databank They use polyester batting. the Green roof guys in Chicago apparently use it with great success. http://greenroofgrowers.blogspot.com/search?q=wicking http://www.insideurbangreen.org/2010...gardencom.html

March 27, 2012	#3
willyb Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sherwood Park Alberta Canada Posts: 147	I experimented with several fabrics for wicks. Burlap worked best for me so I used it in my grow bags. They have been wicking for two weeks now and working very well. Cotton towels were 2nd best. The synthetic fabrics were far behind.

March 27, 2012	#4
chalstonsc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: sc Posts: 295	Lowly, have used (nylon, I believe, but definitely synthetic) rope wicks for over five years in SWCs, five gallon and larger. Can find cheap in Walmart in the camping equipment area,about a quarter inch thick and very pliable) cut to length needed and singe ends to keep from unraveling...I've used three, about a foot long, in five gal. SWCs I grow tomatoes peppers and eggplants in....no problems and have used the same wicks year after year. In my climate wicks need to work and these do