Troubleshooting
Medium stays too dry.
Use more or wider wicks, reduce plant size, or switch to a pumped system.
Medium stays too wet.
Use fewer wicks, improve aeration, or use a less water-retentive medium.
Wick
A passive hydroponic method where absorbent wicks move nutrient solution from a reservoir into the growing medium by capillary action.
Maintenance
- Keep wicks clean and in contact with both reservoir and medium.
- Replace wicks if they become clogged with salts or algae.
- Monitor medium moisture because large plants may outgrow the wick's delivery capacity.
Make It Yourself
- Place an absorbent wick through or under the growing container so one end contacts the medium and the other reaches the reservoir.
- Fill the container with a medium that can hold moisture while still allowing oxygen, such as coco coir or a coco-perlite mix.
- Fill the reservoir with nutrient solution and keep it below the growing container.
- Use small or low-demand crops because wick systems deliver water slowly.
Cost
- 10 - 120 NZD
Power Consumption
- 0 - 0 W
Variants
- Single pot wick: One container sits above a small nutrient reservoir with one or more wicks.
- Tray wick system: Multiple small containers draw from a shared reservoir or capillary mat.
Cultivars
- Herbs: good
- Basil: good
- Oregano: good
- Thyme: good
- Tomato: poor