Mosquito-Proof Self Watering Planter

*10/28/19 Note: The PLA pot melted and deformed some when we had a bunch of days with temperatures over 90. I recommend using PETG if you think the pots will be in that kind of heat.*

I wanted to try growing some herbs in a self watering planter, but I couldn't find one for a price I liked with the features I wanted.

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

• 6 Cup Self Watering Reservoir
• Drain keeps reservoir from overfilling and drowning roots
• Float valve closes drain so mosquitos can't get in
• Easily remove plant pot to check water level or clean the reservoir
• A cap for the fill tube keeps mosquitoes from entering that way
• Plenty of air holes to air prune roots
• Diameter is about 7"
• Planting depth is about 7"
  Follow the links if you're confused
  What's a self watering planter?
  What is air pruning?

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

Print instructions

Printer Brand: Prusa

Printer: I3 MK3S

Rafts: No

Supports: No

Resolution: .2

Filament: Any PETG (or PLA if it won't get very hot)
Notes:

0.2 mm layer height
Only the clip needs support. Everything should already be oriented correctly

Reservoir
3 perimeters to make sure it's watertight. Don't print too fast
4 top and bottom layers

Float
0% infill
This should be watertight but light.

Clip
There are 2 small overhangs - about 1mm each. I used support for these.