Re: Book Review Direct

**"* B* <l*@msn.com>**

Hi, Jo Ellen!

I agree about the moisture crystals.  In fact, at New England Grows, I had a chance to discuss them in detail with one of the inventers of the original products (from way back in the 80's, I think).  First, not all of them work. There are now several on the market and performance even within brand is spotty.  Second, I have read scientific reviews which detail how the moisture is not released properly to the plant roots, so again another data point about efficacy.  And they are certainly not appropriate for vegetables in containers.

As for too much moisture in self waterer soils, they are clearly not appropriate for plants like rosemary or lavender which like things on the dry side.  I would tell you that tropicals like begonias, bananas, the aforementioned brugmansias absolutely thrive in self-waterers.  We trialed veggies in one container last year and the ones in the self-waterer produced earlier, with more fruit than the one without.  Everything was identical except the watering patterns (human intervention solely on one, vs. a "fill up" on the other): light exposure, fertilizer, etc.  Coleus, petunias, impatiens, and all other annuals we trialed all thrived in the self-waterers.  

One of the photos we have is of the root system in the self-waterers.  Those roots are fat, white and plentiful.  The roots in the regular container are spindly and fewer in number.  That's the real lesson here and explains what we see as top growth.

Lorraine 

Lorraine Ballato 
Grow the best plants you can by converting your containers to self-waterers easily and cheaply.  Go to
http://www.successfulselfwateringcontainers.com<http://www.successfulselfwateringcontainers.com/> to get the full story.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: jo ellen meyers sharp<h*@sbcglobal.net> 
  To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum<g*@lists.ibiblio.org> 
  Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 7:24 AM
  Subject: Re: [GWL] Book Review Direct

  I couldn't agree more about the continued increased interest in 
  container; however, any self-watering pot I've used keeps plants too 
  wet for my preference. I use a high quality professional potting mix. 
  I do not use those water crystals beads.
  jems

  >Hi, Duane!
  >
  >It's my book that was the genesis of the original note.  It's about 
  >how easy it is to convert ANY round container into a self-waterer at 
  >low cost.  But here's the real "AHA!"  In my trials over two seasons 
  >using side by side containers and plantings, it's obvious it's not 
  >about the water.  Plants in self-waterers do incredibly better than 
  >in a regular container.  So to your point, using a self-waterer is 
  >really for people who want TO garden, but also satisfies the 
  >indolent.
  >
  >About your Brug, you've got it in a container where the reservoir is 
  >too small.  If you go to a bigger pot and convert it, you'll see how 
  >you can cut that chore down.
  >
  >If you have a chance, go to the below cited website to get a better 
  >idea of what this is all about.
  >
  >BTW, you're right about the keen interest in container gardening 
  >"talks."  My rooms are always full when that's the subject, just as 
  >they are when I speak on vegetable gardening.
  >
  >Lorraine
  >

  -- 
  Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
  The Hoosier Gardener
  Director Garden Writers Association
  Writer * Editor * Speaker * Garden Consultant
  Co-author,The Indiana Gardener's Guide
  Editor, Indiana Living Green magazine
  P.O. Box 20310, Indianapolis, IN 46220
  E-mail: hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net<h*@sbcglobal.net>
  http://www.hoosiergardener.com<http://www.hoosiergardener.com/>
  http://www.IndianaLivingGreen.com<http://www.indianalivinggreen.com/>
  E-mail: editor@IndianaLivingGreen.com<e*@IndianaLivingGreen.com>
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