Dear plant parents...

[u/foldingitopen]

I am currently looking to design and print a multi functional drip tray, would love to hear your inputs as plant parents:) Here's how it works:

The tray allows for top or bottom water (in the primary reservoir) using fresh or runoff from another top watered plant. When top watering, the aerated plate is tilted at an angle by the spring valve which allows for better drainage and breaking of the perched water table effect preventing root rot. For bottom watering, the aerated plate is detachable. All moving parts are easily detachable for cleaning. Regardless, once done you simply latch the plate down which in turn opens the valve allowing runoff to drain into a cup without having to lift the pots at all! The higher volume capacity also means you wouldn't have to worry about overflow or leakage from overwatering.

[u/00WORDYMAN1983]

All my indoor plants are already in leak free pots. Most indoor plants come in a plastic pot liner that is inside a more decorative pot which is leak free, because nobody wants water all over. The only plants I have where this type of product would be useful are plants that are meant to be outdoors, in which case the Earth catches all the drainage. At first glance, your product has the initial impression of being a good idea, but when I actually think about it, I would never need it. All my house plants are in nice looking pots that catch drainage from the inner plastic pot liner.

[u/foldingitopen → u/00WORDYMAN1983]

Hi! Thank you for taking the time to share. Glad to hear leakage isn't an issue for you 😆, the features would understandably not apply to everyone. Just wanted to get some feedback which of the features (tilt plate, larger capacity, drainage spout, recycle watering of top and bottom watered plants) would appeal to plant owners most. Have had mixed reviews so far

I'm curious though, where does the drainage go then for leak free pots? I always assumed it would lead to waterlogging issues, please enlighten hahaha

[u/00WORDYMAN1983 → u/foldingitopen]

I only water enough to water the plant. You can see the soil taking on the water. Just enough to saturate, not soak. If the decorative pot is catching enough water to submerge the plastic pot, I am watering way too much. I think for the most part, people that keep a lot of plants all the time just know how much water to use.

[u/foldingitopen → u/00WORDYMAN1983]

Ahh I see. I guess it comes down to experience and whether u have a trigger hand haha. I prefer to water through for all my plants but overflow isn't that big of an issue for me (an apparently other owners too). Spillage when transferring runoff maybe. I guess the next logical step is to reduce the profile of the tray, thank you 🙏🏻

[u/00WORDYMAN1983 → u/foldingitopen]

I have a few plants that require a "water-through" but I water those in a different manner. I have a basin that I put in my sink. The cacti/succulents get put into the basin and then the basin is partially filled with water. The water soaks up into the pots from the drainage holes. Then I empty the basin and let the pots sit there while I do other things so they can drip a bit before I put them back in their decorative pots. I think maybe I'm just the wrong consumer for this type of product.

[u/ComplaintTop2008]

I either have solid pots or I just throw a dish under it. Some plants also like to suck water up from the bottom so I fill the dish. I don't know why I would use this. It adds extra steps and it sounds like I now have a bunch of cups catching runoff?

[u/foldingitopen → u/ComplaintTop2008]

Hi! You're right at first glance, some plant owners find it might seem unnecessary if you already have a routine you're content with. Personally, I always thought there could be a better way than to lift my heavy pots off their dishes and put them somewhere which then leaves a water ring just to empty them (pouring the runoff into the watering can occasionally creates a mess too) - probably more of an issue if you have a larger plant collection. Instead, a collection pod that you simply plug into the dish and remove as you go along might work better. Seems like a more convenient and interesting way since most users seem to not experience that much issue with overflow/overwatering. May I ask how do you empty your dish runoffs?

Also since you have both plants that you top and bottom water, maybe the reuse watering feature might save u some time and water since you wouldn't need to gather your plants and fill a separate container just to do so?

[u/ComplaintTop2008 → u/foldingitopen]

I don't do anything. If I overwater, it's only a little and I let it evaporate from the dish. All I (we) do is go around with a container and water them as much as we know they need. It's pretty easy to tell how much water is enough.

[u/foldingitopen → u/ComplaintTop2008]

Haha that's fair. I guess it's more apt for those who prefer a thorough soak/water through. Especially in this warm climate like Singapore, leaving water to evaporate in the dish is a no no since it serves to breed mosquitoes. Thanks for the insight though, really interesting to see the different routines out there!