Mosquito-Proof Self Watering Planter

thingiverse

10/28/19 Note: The PLA pot melted and deformed when we had several days with temperatures over 90. I recommend using PETG if you think the pots will be exposed to that kind of heat. I wanted to try growing some herbs in a self-watering planter, but I couldn't find one at a price I liked with the features I needed. This takes a long time to print, but total print cost ($5 to $7) beats what you'll find in stores. In the pictures above, the grey one is an earlier version printed in PLA and the white one is the current version printed in PETG. The picture of the grey by itself shows mint that was just transplanted to the pot. In the other picture, you can see the same mint 1 month later. The white one has newly transplanted savory in the pic of all the pots together and just under a month of growth in the other. The air pruning holes do cause the pots to look dirty. I plan to try printing in a brown filament. **Planter Features** - A self-watering reservoir can hold 6 cups - The drain keeps the reservoir from overfilling and drowning roots - A float valve closes the drain so mosquitoes can't get in - You can easily remove the plant pot to check water level or clean the reservoir - A cap for the fill tube keeps mosquitoes from entering that way - There are plenty of air holes to air prune roots - The diameter is about 7" - The planting depth is about 7" **Follow the links if you're confused** <a href="https://www.hunker.com/12572542/how-does-a-self-watering-planter-work">What's a self-watering planter?</a> <a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/what-is-an-air-pot.htm">What is air pruning?</a> **Files** - Valve Test: This is if you want to test the valve without printing the full design. You'll need to also print the float and clip - Pot and Reservoir: The main pieces - Pot-noholes: A version of the pot without the air pruning holes. You lose the feature, but it should look nicer without stains from leaking dirt - Wick Cup: Insert this in the bottom of the pot before use. It should lock into place when you twist it - Clip and Float: Insert the float into the cradle at the drain hole. Attach the clip to keep the float from coming out. The float opens to drain water and closes once water is below the fill level. No mosquitoes! (Make sure to check my print settings below. The float should be hollow and as light as possible) - Cap: Keep the fill tube covered so mosquitoes can't get in