A Self‐Watering System for Growing Plants in Potted Soils1

A wick culture technique for growing plants in potted soils was developed. In the method described, about 50 oat (Avena sativa L.) seeds are sown to a pot and are grown under plant‐growth room conditions for about 4 weeks. Water for the plants is supplied entirely by a fiberglass wick extending from the center of the pot into a glass cylinder. The technique is especially adaptable to micronutrient element studies. It has several advantages over the ordinary pot culture techniques for growing plants. The construction materials are available and inexpensive.