For seedlings I've been using a small self watering container made from 2 liter soda bottles. I don't buy soda, but I know enough people that do to have an endless supply of these. Essentially all you need to do is cut the top off 1/3 of the way down, remove the lid, and stuff the top inside the bottom - up-side-down. You can get fancy-schmancy with watering tubes and overflow holes just like a big SWC, but I don't bother. I gently top-water when the water reserves get low.
If you need a large water reservoir don't push the top section all the way down. If you need more soil and room for roots push the top section all the way down. Also consider this when you initially cut the bottle in two sections.
I started all my seeds this year in these I even made some smaller ones with 16 oz water bottles that also work very well. Occassionaly I get a root that wanders down into the water reservoir. This hasn't seemed to cause any problems yet. I also fertilize in these containers, but at about 1/4 of the recommended doseage, or less. The reason for this is that fertilizer dosages are usually for a one time feeding. A self watering container is most definitly not a one time feeding! The plants will get fertilized for as long as there is water in the containers reservoir, day after day for several days. So to prevent burning or shocking the little guys, I mix the fertilizer pretty weak.
Small Self Watering Containers for Seedlings
Things Growing
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