Anyone have any idea about how to keep your plants watered when you travel? ( besides having someone going into your house and doing it for you? )<BR><BR>- any gadgets that they sell?<BR><BR>Q

There are a couple of great gadgets I have used from time to time. One is a spike thing that you screw on a two liter soda bottle. Cut of the bottom of the bottle and you now have a 2 liter container with a spike with small holes to stick into the plant pot or bed. They are inexpensive - something like 7 for $10 or so. It is amazing how long 2 liters of water will last and the plants flourish because they are being watered at the roots.<BR><BR>Another gadget I use more for beds - they are ceramic wicks that have long tube attached. you fill a bucket or tub with watel and all of the tubes siphon water to the different plants.<BR><BR>Another technique I use for pots which costs nothing is to make a shallow lagoon. I use 4X4s or 2X6's and arrange them in a rectangle. then I lay a plastic gound cloth over the rectangle and fill the whole thing with water. You have a reservoir that is 6 or 8 feet square and 3 to 5 inches deep. Then I put all of my potted plants in the lagoon. This system has worked for up to 3 weeks.<BR><BR>I like to have someone come over at least once a week - so they can replenish the water in any of the above.

Plant roots can absorb water thru clay pots. So just bury a clay pot filled with water and your plant will be ok. Make sure you dont use a pot with a wall too thick tho.

I've covered plants with big plastic bags, like the ones from the dry cleaners. But tie a knot in the top where the hanger made a hole. Covering the plant keeps the humidity in and the plant moist, but you should also use a siphoning system if you're going to be away more than a week.<BR><BR>I've also moved my large clay pots to the bathtub, and kept them submerged in a few inches of water, as the clay is porous and also absorbs water.

Take a thick bath towel and soak it in the tub. Leae your plants in there while you are gone. Your plants will wick up the water for about a week (depending on how warm your house is). It should be fine for a two-week vacation at least.