I made one similar to yours except I added a fill tube and a float (float made out of old pill bottles) and a stiff metal rod. I attached a plastic butterfly to the top of the rod. Rod runs through a pvc cap that is easily removable. When the butterfly is high (flying) there is plenty of water. When the butterfly drops to the cap, it is 'resting' and needs more water. A cute setup - women like that stuff. One could use a flag but not as visually enjoyable. Also, some people use mortar mix in the bottom. Keeps the water from weeping out too quickly from the bottom. Reason for the PVC tube (it is actually PVC water pipe) is so I don't have to bend over to fill them. Rule of thumb: bending over is bad, standing is good.
@@judithmcdonald9001 FYI wife loves it too. Need to replace the sun faded butterfly though. Between the bottom of the butterfly and the top of the PVC cap, I placed one of those hollow 'cat balls' (metal) on the rod. Looks sorta like the butterfly is landing on a part of a flower :-) That rod should be stainless steel of brass if you can find either. I couldn't find one locally so I had to use regular steel rod from the hardware store. Yes, it shows a little rust, but that seems to fit in the setup. Too bad I can't send you pictures.
@@miaandersen8731 Unfortunately the one I made cracked. So we planted a perennial in it's place and used a 1 quart inverted glass vinegar bottle to auto water. Of course I just HAD to build her a new free standing planter. Kinda looks like a huge saw horse but with house gutters on long sides (for dirt and plants), and some hooks on the underside of the top to hang some hanging baskets. I set the gutters about waist high-ish so she could maintain the plants either standing or sitting. Also had to design it so I could fit a lawn mower underneath it. Was thinking of installing a large beach umbrella to it so she could sit in the shade to do her stuff, read a book, etc. I tease her about getting a plumber to come over - lol. She asked why?? I replied so she doesn't have to go far to use the potty! SMACK! Oops?
My parents always used to put an unglazed terracotta drainage pipe (open both ends) next to each tree they planted. This was filled up to water the tree and “get the water down to the roots”.
Hi My friend.. I had the same idea... I am from spain... the same size of pots... double volume... than traditional idea. Incredible... amazing... What a surprise so long... but so close.
I’m trying these with my tomatoes and herbs this year. Silicone didn’t work for me, the porosity of the terra-cotta made it fall off. Gorilla glue worked like a champ. Maybe I used the wrong silicone.
Hi. I love your video and inspiring demonstration! I was wondering on your 'how to make DIY terracotta olla' what is the exact silicone sealer you used? I live in Italy- so we may have different brands and types of silicone sealers; I am told that they are all waterproof, but are split up depending on what material you are using the silicone for. As far as nontoxic; the only ones seem to be used for aquatic life- making aquariums, but are NOT used for porous materials such as terracotta. Also, silicone used for interior water plumbing don't seem to be nontoxic and again are not to be used for porous materials. The only silicone advised for terracotta are ones that are used for constructing porous building materials (listing terracotta), but are NOT listed as nontoxic. The clerk told me that it shouldn't matter anyways (even if there's a chemical) since it is just to seal the two pots together....? I tried to use the nontoxic aquatic silicone sealer for attaching the two terracotta pots together, which is supposed to dry in 24 hours, but it is very sticky and seems to wipe off a bit even if the two pots are staying attached together. Not sure if it just takes longer to cure or this is how it will remain- if at all. Could you please show me exactly what one you used? I would appreciate any information or advice you could give me on how to proceed; do I need to wipe it off and start over with the Universal builders silicone for porous materials? Thank you for any help you can offer me! Paj Tognetti
Yes, we always did tomatoes this way in Southern California. I just put a tube down next to them that filled a plastic jug that sat under the ground by the roots. holes in bottom of plastic jug released water slowly to roots.
I've tried this with cheap unglazed clay/terracotta pots from Bunnings. BUT when testing by filling with water and leaving standing on the ground the water level remained unchanged even after a couple of week. In contrast a commercial Olla would drain in 24 hours.
That's because the water is pulled out by tension created by osmosis and the plant roots pulling the water out. If you hadn't buried it next to a plant its not going to magically empty
@@gwenramsdale6921 Disagree. I have commercial olas. I have filled these with water and left them standing above ground. They weep water and are essentially empty within 24-48 hrs. The water is "wicking" through the micro-capillaries within the wall of the terracotta pot. It has nothing to do with osmosis. With typical cheap clay pots used as substitutes for olas you get effective capillary action if the pot walls are not too thick and/or if the pot was fired at a low temperature. Creck the definition of the term osmosis vs capillary action... Cheers
I did this with 6in clay pots. Had to fill them every couple of days. In the fall I pulled them out. The cavity left by the pot was just covered by roots. That tells me the idea works. I am going to add more as I can afford them. I buy the dish to use as a cover and put some stones or something in them and fill the dish with water. Bees and butterflies land on them and drink.
@@IgneousExtrusive been buying 6in size. Been considering doubling them to go deeper. But so far they seem to be ok. I think smaller ones will work in pots.
Pretty certain I know the answer but asking to confirm - I live where the ground freezes with some winters having feet of snow. Doesn't terra cotta crack in those conditions?
I live on Vancouver Island in Canada. the ground does not freeze very deeply, so I covered them with a thick layer of leaves and a tarp. they look pretty good, but we'll see how they perform this summer. really worked for our tomatoes last year. so easy to water and you can be sure to be giving them enough water.
That's a good alternative. It helps to maintain the moisture in the soil. However I do see a benefit on only watering on one spot and filling the ollas, instead of using the water hose throughout the garden and loosing some water through evaporation.
To test the water level why not use a pre measured dowel stick and check like checking oil on a car like a dip stick?
I made one similar to yours except I added a fill tube and a float (float made out of old pill bottles) and a stiff metal rod.
I attached a plastic butterfly to the top of the rod.
Rod runs through a pvc cap that is easily removable.
When the butterfly is high (flying) there is plenty of water.
When the butterfly drops to the cap, it is 'resting' and needs more water.
A cute setup - women like that stuff.
One could use a flag but not as visually enjoyable.
Also, some people use mortar mix in the bottom.
Keeps the water from weeping out too quickly from the bottom.
Reason for the PVC tube (it is actually PVC water pipe) is so I don't have to bend over to fill them.
Rule of thumb: bending over is bad, standing is good.
You are ingenious! I love it!
@@judithmcdonald9001 FYI wife loves it too.
Need to replace the sun faded butterfly though.
Between the bottom of the butterfly and the top of the PVC cap, I placed one of those hollow 'cat balls' (metal) on the rod.
Looks sorta like the butterfly is landing on a part of a flower :-)
That rod should be stainless steel of brass if you can find either.
I couldn't find one locally so I had to use regular steel rod from the hardware store.
Yes, it shows a little rust, but that seems to fit in the setup.
Too bad I can't send you pictures.
"women like that stuff"
Indeed we do, Crazy Squirrel, indeed we do...
@@miaandersen8731 Unfortunately the one I made cracked. So we planted a perennial in it's place and used a 1 quart inverted glass vinegar bottle to auto water.
Of course I just HAD to build her a new free standing planter.
Kinda looks like a huge saw horse but with house gutters on long sides (for dirt and plants), and some hooks on the underside of the top to hang some hanging baskets.
I set the gutters about waist high-ish so she could maintain the plants either standing or sitting.
Also had to design it so I could fit a lawn mower underneath it.
Was thinking of installing a large beach umbrella to it so she could sit in the shade to do her stuff, read a book, etc.
I tease her about getting a plumber to come over - lol.
She asked why??
I replied so she doesn't have to go far to use the potty!
SMACK!
Oops?
My parents always used to put an unglazed terracotta drainage pipe (open both ends) next to each tree they planted. This was filled up to water the tree and “get the water down to the roots”.
instaBlaster
Hi My friend.. I had the same idea... I am from spain... the same size of pots... double volume... than traditional idea.
Incredible... amazing... What a surprise so long... but so close.
I made some terracotta pot olla's and they work great
We're trying this with our lemon tree. 🍋 💕✨️🌈🙏 Thank you
This hot Texan really appreciates this idea. My plants cook in the summer. Even heat tolerant plants wilt in August.
Shade your plants in the afternoon and evening.
They sell shade cloth just for that purpose.
Love this, my fist task for today to keep my frog habitat damp 🥰🐸
My aunt uses a thin plastic orange tube on a fishing float. If the sticks are low, add water.
I’m trying these with my tomatoes and herbs this year. Silicone didn’t work for me, the porosity of the terra-cotta made it fall off. Gorilla glue worked like a champ.
Maybe I used the wrong silicone.
Hi. I love your video and inspiring demonstration!
I was wondering on your 'how to make DIY terracotta olla' what is the exact silicone sealer you used? I live in Italy- so we may have different brands and types of silicone sealers; I am told that they are all waterproof, but are split up depending on what material you are using the silicone for. As far as nontoxic; the only ones seem to be used for aquatic life- making aquariums, but are NOT used for porous materials such as terracotta. Also, silicone used for interior water plumbing don't seem to be nontoxic and again are not to be used for porous materials.
The only silicone advised for terracotta are ones that are used for constructing porous building materials (listing terracotta), but are NOT listed as nontoxic. The clerk told me that it shouldn't matter anyways (even if there's a chemical) since it is just to seal the two pots together....?
I tried to use the nontoxic aquatic silicone sealer for attaching the two terracotta pots together, which is supposed to dry in 24 hours, but it is very sticky and seems to wipe off a bit even if the two pots are staying attached together. Not sure if it just takes longer to cure or this is how it will remain- if at all.
Could you please show me exactly what one you used? I would appreciate any information or advice you could give me on how to proceed; do I need to wipe it off and start over with the Universal builders silicone for porous materials?
Thank you for any help you can offer me!
Paj Tognetti
I imagine a construction adhesive would work.
an excellent alternative to the hassle of diy-ing, is to buy un-glazed terracotta wine coolers. 9 time out of ten a second hand shop will have one.
@Ella Blun i place a terracotta saucer over the top, fill that with water for the bees. no mosquito problem here.
@@alicemary7913 yup exactly. I also leave some dry for the butterflies, and others I turn into mudding stations.
Great idea! Thank you
excellent idea. thank you. they can be used to filter water for up to a year - making it drinkable/potable. also can be used in/zeer pots.
Thanks for sharing great wisdom! Plan to try this out this season!
Lovely garden.
Great idea. Thank you for this video.❤️
hola, interesante experimento lo pondré en practica en mis cultivos de tomate, un saludo desde Venezuela
Yes, we always did tomatoes this way in Southern California. I just put a tube down next to them that filled a plastic jug that sat under the ground by the roots. holes in bottom of plastic jug released water slowly to roots.
I making these this year :)
Great video! Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you very much.
Love that little joke you threw in there - even paused after. "Olla" have to do... lol
I've tried this with cheap unglazed clay/terracotta pots from Bunnings. BUT when testing by filling with water and leaving standing on the ground the water level remained unchanged even after a couple of week. In contrast a commercial Olla would drain in 24 hours.
That's because the water is pulled out by tension created by osmosis and the plant roots pulling the water out. If you hadn't buried it next to a plant its not going to magically empty
@@gwenramsdale6921
Disagree.
I have commercial olas. I have filled these with water and left them standing above ground. They weep water and are essentially empty within 24-48 hrs. The water is "wicking" through the micro-capillaries within the wall of the terracotta pot. It has nothing to do with osmosis.
With typical cheap clay pots used as substitutes for olas you get effective capillary action if the pot walls are not too thick and/or if the pot was fired at a low temperature.
Creck the definition of the term osmosis vs capillary action...
Cheers
I did this with 6in clay pots. Had to fill them every couple of days. In the fall I pulled them out. The cavity left by the pot was just covered by roots. That tells me the idea works. I am going to add more as I can afford them. I buy the dish to use as a cover and put some stones or something in them and fill the dish with water. Bees and butterflies land on them and drink.
@@dragoncarver287 It seems smaller ones are better then, if you cannot afford "true" ollas.
@@IgneousExtrusive been buying 6in size. Been considering doubling them to go deeper. But so far they seem to be ok. I think smaller ones will work in pots.
Pretty certain I know the answer but asking to confirm - I live where the ground freezes with some winters having feet of snow. Doesn't terra cotta crack in those conditions?
I live on Vancouver Island in Canada. the ground does not freeze very deeply, so I covered them with a thick layer of leaves and a tarp. they look pretty good, but we'll see how they perform this summer. really worked for our tomatoes last year. so easy to water and you can be sure to be giving them enough water.
every Australian TV show ever: *HERE'S ONE I PREPARED EARLIER*
Excellent
What about using pool noodles?
so you gottta have a really long finger to tell when it's almost empty. lol
Riight
Or a long feengah
Cork stopper?to block holes?can try it out inndesert tree use big jars in trees olive groves dont need that much water any way.
Finger in... "Wet." 😂😂😂😂😂
Is it from 1BC or 2000BC? Title says one, video the other. It can't be both, they're 2 millennia apart
Australian tomaatooos
What about duct tape it should last about one season
Then you have to dig it up again
I just use wine bottles, not too hard
Imagine sealing two pots with silicone in 2000 BC 😂
Is this what the nabetans and summerains did?
3:07 forget science
this old fashioned method of checking the juices levels also dates 2000BC
Or you could mulch the garden beds deeply
That's a good alternative. It helps to maintain the moisture in the soil. However I do see a benefit on only watering on one spot and filling the ollas, instead of using the water hose throughout the garden and loosing some water through evaporation.
Both is good
The music is distracting.
Centimetres? Litres? What sorcery psycho babble is this?
a system of measurement that the majority of the world use because it makes more sense than inches and gallons?
@@rhiannonh5202 😂