Glass Ball Waterier

[Nyboy]

Has anybody used those glass balls with long stem you fill with water, to automatically water pots? I have trouble keeping window boxes at weekend house watered. I use water beads in soil and does help a little. When sprinklers where put in I didn't want water hitting house so boxes don't get watered. Last night a store had them 2 for$3 ,at that price I picked up a box. Anyone try them? Did they help with watering or just a waste?

 

[Nyboy]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51R+LW8GnJL._SY300_.jpg

 

[canesisters]

I've tried them in hanging baskets. Didn't work. They are almost impossible to fill unless you submerge them in a bucket of water. Which is silly... if I'm going to drag the hose over, fill a bucket, then dump all the extra water into a flower bed, I'd just as soon use the hose to water the basket.
Also, the little stems seem to always get a plug of soil in them when I push them into the dirt - then the water just sits up in the bulb all summer...
Sorry, I didn't like them at all - for watering. They ARE very pretty sticking up out of the plants though.

 

[thistlebloom]

I babysat a Christmas cactus for a neighbor who moved, and there was one in the pot. I used it a few times and the water did drain into the soil, but it was a Christmas cactus after all and pretty drought tolerant, so not the same use as you need NYboy.

Maybe we can brainstorm different ways for your window boxes to stay watered during your absence.

Could you try a few in your lemon tree to see how they are going to drain? I think the idea is that the moisture will slowly wick out into dry soil, but if the soil is saturated they will hold the water.

 

[Nyboy]

At $1.50 each going to try, really have nothing to loose.

 

[ninnymary]

At $1.50 each going to try, really have nothing to loose.

You can always use them as a decorative item.

Mary

 

[Hennible]

I've tried them in hanging baskets. Didn't work. They are almost impossible to fill unless you submerge them in a bucket of water. Which is silly... if I'm going to drag the hose over, fill a bucket, then dump all the extra water into a flower bed, I'd just as soon use the hose to water the basket.
Also, the little stems seem to always get a plug of soil in them when I push them into the dirt - then the water just sits up in the bulb all summer...
Sorry, I didn't like them at all - for watering. They ARE very pretty sticking up out of the plants though.

This is exactly my exsperiance. They could have been designed so much better....

 

[Hennible]

These seem far more practical

You can find them at Amazon

 

[Smart Red]

I have the glass balls and have used them with inside plants, never tried them outside. They do work if I remember to add water -- the reason I got them in the first place.

You would still need to be there to refill them. In really hot, sunny weather that might mean adding water more than once a week. However, if the plants are in individual pots, (like your pansies) one bulb filling would last a lot longer.

I also have some terra cotta spikes a bit like those @Hennible shows, except mine are attached to a water bucket by tubes that carry the water to the plants. I'll check to see what they are called.
CobraCo watering sensors is what I have. Haven't used them yet.
CobraCo Plant Sitter Water System looks like it could be better adapted to outside use. Says three weeks of water care.

Good luck!

 

[Nyboy]

They are wrought iron window boxes, I love the look so want something discrete. @Hennible that looks like something I might want to try in the garden beds.