Self-Watering Pot Problems: Drooping Stems and Fertilizing Methods

Nancy used self-watering pots for her violets. One plant's stems drooped over the pot rim while its companion thrived. She asked about the pot system's suitability and how to fertilize through the reservoir.

How Self-Watering Pots Work

Unglazed inner pots absorb water from the outer reservoir via capillary action. The drier the soil, the more water it draws—self-regulating moisture.

Drooping Stem Causes and Fixes

Older violets develop elongated "necks" as lower leaves are removed. In self-watering pots, this neck can lengthen until stems drape over the rim. Solution: repot deeper, burying the neck. Scrape the neck gently to encourage new roots. Bag the plant for 2 weeks post-repot for humidity.

Fertilizing in Self-Watering Systems

Add liquid or powdered African violet fertilizer to the reservoir water at half the recommended strength. Adjust for reservoir volume. The plant absorbs nutrients with water.