Self-watering kit for IKEA Muskot 12 cm Plant Pot (lightweight design)

IKEA's Muskot ceramic plant pots are pleasing, affordable, and are made with a handy internal lip a few cm from the bottom - as if someone was going to add a partition there and create a water reservoir in the base...

... Ok, me then.

This design uses irrigation strings to wick the water up into the soil, which is a superior method as the soil doesn't get excessively waterlogged.

I have two designs for this purpose, and this one is much more economical of time and material. The other type 552348 is a bit more robust, but really only worth doing if you need the tripod (stem support) feature.

You will need:

• Muskot 12 cm pot, Ikea part number 50308196
• Irrigation wick / self watering wick, 7 mm diameter. Preferably a synthetic type that's non-rotting.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Creality

Printer: 

CR-20

Rafts:

No

Supports: 

Yes

Resolution:

200

Filament:

_ PLA 

Notes:

The tower part needs a bit of support under the filling recepticle.
Ensure your printer can do overhangs of 60 degrees, and bridging up to about 12 mm.

The wick can be inserted by twisting, or pushing with a stiff, blunt wire. At the top it turns a corner and needs to be hooked out. Ensure enough wick hangs out at the bottom to reach the base of the pot.

I prefer to discourage roots from growing into the reservoir, which is a reason that the wick is enclosed to emerge near the top. When I assemble these, I add some cling film over the top of the bulkhead and cover the gap, in case the seal is imperfect due to warping etc. If you do this, ensure that all three channels in the tower are unblocked.

FreeCAD source model included

Category: Outdoor & Garden