permaculture

["L.Santoyo Designs" <santoyo@earthflow.com>]

Peter... didn't mean to cause confusion, the organic material is 
added to the soil -around the pot -not in the pot.  It can act as a 
sponge and/or a wick -it can slow down, help isolate and/or help 
disperse the moisture.  The single pot worked the best for us -and 
doesn't require the waterproof glues.

Kisan Mehta... the terra cotta pots that I am referring to are 
unglazed but fired once and have lasted for many years in the ground.

Marjory... I have successfully used 4 inch to 10 inch pots.  The only 
way to know the best size, rates and the distribution plume to expect 
for your situation and soil -is trails...  The roots won't 
necessarily grow around the pots... like with most irrigation -roots 
follow the plume.  Try using wood chips for the effect you need. 
Test various sizes and materials in your specific soil -it's very 
easy, very low cost, with very quick results -and if any improvements 
are needed -I suspect that you'll get the ideas that only trials can 
lead you to...

Good luck -let me know how else I can help.

"As soon as we start doing -we learn how to proceed"  -Bill Mollison


Larry

Larry Santoyo, Director
EarthFlow Design Works
805.459.0452
http://www.earthflow.com/consulting.html



> Thanks Larry.
> Great idea - I'll try putting two pots together like that. Any glue
> recommendations?
> What is the function of wood chips and course organic matter in the pots?
> Peter


> We feel that unglazed
> earthen vessel or substance cannot hold to shape hence glazing cannot be
> avouded. Best wishes.
>
> Kisan Mehta        Priya Salvi       Rajiv Bhatt

> Hi Larry,
>
> I am jumping in here - and yes, I was the one with the low pressure gravity
> fed system.  If you could relay some more specifics please.  What size are
> the pots you use?  How much water gets distributed?  I wonder how long it
> takes for the water to seep out.  I am guessing the tree starts forming
> roots around the pot - it learns where the water is?  Would it have to be
> terra cotta?  Could it be any fired, but unglazed clay pot?  I am asking
> this as I wonder if I could make a custom shape which would distribute the
> water better.
>
> I appreciate your sharing of information.
>
> thanks,
>
> Marjory


> On 1/5/06, L.Santoyo Designs <santoyo@earthflow.com> wrote:
> >  Peter Morehead,
> >
> >  In our Design Courses we talk about the unglazed pot as mimicking a
> >  natural spring or seep...  We have used several variations of the
> >  "unglazed pot" in heavy (clay) soils and in sandy soils.  The
> >  commonality that led to success was not necessarily the pot design
> >  but the addition of wood chips and other course organic matter.
> >
> >  The great thing about the clay pots is they work with very low
> >  pressure delivery.  -you can put a drip line with or without an
> >  emitter. (someone else on this list was asking about low pressure
> >  systems and drip?)
> >
> >  We have glued two terra cotta pots together -with the wide tops one
> >  upside down on the other -seal the bottom opening -use the other
> >  opening to fill -then plug with a wine cork to prevent evaporation
> >  (and to prevent lizards and other little creatures from being
> >  trapped).
> >
> >  We have also buried (single) larger pots and then used the next size
> >  up terra cotta saucer as the cover.  (we still put a little stick or
> >  rolled chicken wire to offer a bridge out for over curious lizards
> >  that somehow got under the saucer)
> >
> >  We use two or three around each tree and use several in diamond
> >  pattern for larger garden spaces.
> >
> >  The frequency and number of pots used, of course, depends on your soil.
> >
> >  Good luck,
> >
> >
> >  Larry
> >
> >  Larry Santoyo, Director
> >  EarthFlow Design Works
> >  805.459.0452
> >  http://www.earthflow.com/consulting.html
> >
> >
> >  >Hello all,
> >  >
> >  >Does anyone have experience using buried terra-cotta pots filled with
> >  water
> >  >as a watering system? Does this really work, work well, and for many
>  > years?
> >  >
> >  >Here's my design: I'm planning to catch rainwater on a 16th story roof
> >  and
> >  >divert it to a 14th floor rooftop garden. I'm considering diverting some
> >  of
> >  >the water to a series of 8 large buried terra-cotta pots [unglazed]. The
> >  >tops of the pots will be screened to keep out mosquitos. The water will
> >  >[hopefully] slowly seep through the pot wall to moisten adjacent soil.
> >  The
> >  >idea is to keep plants happy with a consistent level of moisture and cut
> >  >down on maintenance time. So far, i've only seen this idea in drawings
> >  and
> >  >don't know if it's been tried with success.
> >  >
> >  >Any advice is welcome - is this design worth the trouble?
> >  >
> >  >Thanks in advance,
> >  >
>  > >Peter Morehead

--