Customer Reviews

Wine Bottle Plant Nanny Watering Stakes, Three 4-packs

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my first review after years of amazon purchases, so you know I must like it ;-) I tested one on its own filled with water in a glass in the sink, and they slowly release water. Then I tested it in a large pot with a big wine bottle--worked great-- 1/3 of the bottle went into the soil within 2 days, 1/2 within 4. I added a 2nd nanny & bottle to the same plant, and it slowed the flow. These also work well with soda/beer bottles that fit for smaller plants. I've started to leave them in the plants with water all of the time so they can get proper hydration in case I miss watering a day--seems to be working out well!

When I received them, 2 of the 12 were broken--rather than go through Amazon who would have to send out a full set of 12 again and could take some time, I called the manufacturer to see if they could help. They were very friendly & sent me 2 new ones with extra foam to keep them safe from shipping issues. They told me (7/14/2008) that the new shipment going to amazon will have better packing so this will not happen in the future. I got the new set of two within 2 days (east coast)--very good service!

Great concept--recycling wine bottles, watering plants over time works well!

This is a nifty addition to container plant care. I bought a 4-pack, then went back to buy 3 more.

It really works. Got about 4-7 days out of a full load. Depends on temperature. Hotter days means more rapid depletion. I was suspicious that perhaps evaporation might have something to do with it but the bottles form a fairly tight seal so moisture really has no place to go except through Plant Nanny.

I didn't have enough empty wine bottles but had plenty of long-neck beer bottles handy. Guess what, they fit very nicely. In fact, I prefer them for my hanging containers where excess weight is a concern.

Overall, I prefer clear bottles such as white wine and/or MGD Draft, Corona, or Sol beer. The sun glint makes it look more quaint than green or brown bottles. Plus it's easier to see remaining fluid levels from a distance.

The thing the directions don't make clear is whether to stick these all the way into the soil or if it's okay to only go half way. I've done both, but the shallow containers don't have as much room.

Also learned the hard way not to try and drive these into the soil with a bottle inserted. The bottles are harder than the ceramic and the neck of the Plant Nanny will crack. Poke a whole in the soil first with a branch then insert the Nanny by itself.

Just for kicks, I thought that maybe sticking a long neck in some containers without a Plant Nanny might work as well. I figured the principle would be the same as those water globes on TV. A long neck and a water reservoir should behave the same way.

Turns out you can use bottles by themselves. But you get a much faster depletion. Usually a few hours to a day vs multiple days. But in a pinch sometimes that is enough for a slow release that doesn't rapidly drain such as when applying with a hose.

No regrets though. I still trust the containers with Plant Nanny to do the job right.

I uploaded a couple of photos with different bottle types to give you an idea of the look. Nice product.

These work great for keeping your plants watered and you can really
jazz them up, especially in plants that do not bloom. Simply paint
each wine bottle with pretty flowers using enamel paints (paint the design upside down) and place in a cold oven, turn on to 325 degrees, bake for 30 minutes and let the oven cool completely before you open it - VERY IMPORTANT. The bottles are now pretty and will add color to your green pot plants as well as water. They make really neat gifts for friends and family.

These little watering stakes have been very helpful in keeping our house plants thriving. We still water occasionally with a pitcher, but the stakes give the plant exactly what they need.

Some plants will need different attention. For example, our four-year old Basil will not tolerate the stake feeding, and clearly suffers when we are using the system. This plant prefers flood and dry cycles. Odd, but that's the only plant we haven't been able to use with the stakes. Larger plants will likely need two stakes.

I broke one while inserting into the soil. I would recommend digging a hole with another tool if the soil is firm.

I first bought this plant nanny as a gimmick for my potted plants because I am both an avid gardener and an avid wine drinker! I have since ordered three more "sets" of nannies.

Because the stakes are made of clay, I knew they would be an effective watering tool. Was I surprised at just how effective and fun they really are!

If you invert a regular size wine bottle into a 5 gallon pot, your plant will receive a steady source of water for about 2-2 1/2 weeks. With the larger wine bottle, you can get 3- 3 1/2 weeks. I've used these for about a year now. I have left home for a month at a time and have returned to healthy indoor and outdoor plants.

Follow the simple instructions. Thoroughly water plants before inserting the stakes. Push the stake GENTLY into the wet soil. If you push hard, the clay will chip (learned that one the hard way!). If the stake chips, you can still use it! I have regular wine bottles in 2 chipped stakes. Then, simply invert a full bottle of water into the stake. Larger potted plants need two bottles and stakes.

They have become valued birthday and Christmas gifts for family and friends, and I am always proud to present them as a hostess gift.

It never fails to give a gift that you love yourself!

I've never been disciplined enough to water household plants every day, or even every week, so this product is a miracle for me. I now have five pretty, air-cleaning plants in my house that are thriving! Using pretty wine bottles to do the watering looks nice, and holds plenty of water to get through until the next time I remember to water, and since you can see how much water is left in the bottle, you know exactly when there is need for more. The system keeps the soil moist, so there is no running water coming out of the bottoms of plants and ruining floors. Great product!

I came across these Plant Nanny spikes at my local Smith & Hawken a while ago and have been in love with this product ever since! A lot of my plants are in windows, which tends to dry them out so quickly that I would oftentimes not water them sufficiently before they would start to show signs of distress. This product solved my problem and helped to ensure that my plants are properly watered (not too wet, not too dry) and look stylish to boot (especially if you have a nice bottle....instant showpiece).

You simply press the spike into your houseplant (or outdoor plants....you can use them everywhere) and place an overturned bottle into the Plant Nanny. Your plant gets a continuous watering, and if you use a clear bottle you can see when the water level gets low and replinish before your plants take a nose dive.

One word of caution: as some other's noted before me, you do want to make sure that your set is not broken: they are formed from something akin to terra cotta and can be a bit delicate, which makes shipping a bit of a challenge if not done correctly. Also, take care when you are inserting these into soil...if you're too rough you'll hear the heartbreaking sound of roots being ripped to shreds in your established houseplants!

Overall, I highly recommend this product for anyone who is looking for an easy and fairly inexpensive way to keep their plants healthy.

These are the best devices I have come across. I have peace lillies that love to wilt at the slightest dehydration. They water perfectly to keep the leaves looking lush and well attended. I'm ordering more for other plants, and sending a set to my mother in law! *****Words of advice. Water the plant well before placing in the device, push in with hand don't force hard and definitly don't push with whatever bottle you put in it. They'll break. It's a lightly compact terra cotta that allows the water to seep through. Don't abuse or you'll get frustrated. Take care and you'll fall in love with the convenience of filling a bottle to water, instead of a watering can.

I could not keep indoor plants alive, I would always over or under water them. I could kill anything! I was ok with the outdoor plants just not indoors. These things have saved my plants. I am so glad I got them. Very easy to use and attractive if you put nice looking bottles in them.

Beware, after you get these, check them all for breakage and cracks. Four of mine were broken, but almost all of the others were cracked and I didn't find out until it was too late to get them replaced.

These do work great but they don't pack them well enough for shipping.