Plant Watering Device

Watering plants is a task that can be hard to remember. If you go on vacation, this can cause a detriment to your plants. With this device, watering your plants can be automated. I wanted to make this project simple by using common supplies that most people would have in their house. This system uses a screw as the main machine to power the movement. The screw can be connected to a motor which can be attached to a timer to be set for automated timing. The number of turns the screw turns can be set to tip the bottle more and more with each watering so that one bottle can last several waterings.

- Plastic water bottle

- scissors

- screw

- nut

- hammer

- ribbon/string

- a weight

- a stand

- a base

Using the screw and hammer, poke 2 holes in the cap of the plastic bottle. Two holes are needed because one is used to allow water to exit the bottle and the other is used to allow air to displace the water so that it continues to drip out. The holes will act as a drip system to water the plant and prevent splashing.

The next step is to attach the bottle to the stand. It is important to ensure that the bottle does not move so that the water ends up in the pot and not on the ground around the pot. Using the ribbon or string, tie the plastic bottle to the stand in three places. The strings on the side will guide the bottle into a proper position, while the string from the top maintains the level of the opening of the bottle.

Now we have to attach a string that will produce the movement of the device. Tie this string securely, approximately 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the bottle. Make sure the string/ribbon that is used is strong enough to sustain the weight of the filled bottle.

Then we need to create the base. Depending on the base that you choose to use, you may need to drill a hole for the screw. Using a screwdriver, screw the screw into the side of the base, ensure that the screw is able to turn freely. Then tie the other end of the ribbon around the screw and secure the lose end of the screw with the nut. The nut will prevent the screw from coming out and unraveling the string/ribbon.

Add enough weight into the base to counter the bottle weight. Then place the device in front of the plant you want to water. To water the plant, turn the screw and that will wind the ribbon/string and the plant will have its own drip system.

An automated system can be set to wind the screw more and more each time, resulting in the bottom tipping at a steeper angle and releasing a prescribed amount of water each cycle. Depending on how much water you put into the bottle, this can last several weeks. This will keep your plants happy while your away.