Water the Roots (Olla Reservoir Watering System)

Water the Roots: Olla Reservoir Watering System

This watering system is designed to be buried in your garden, raised bed, or pot to allow for water and water-soluble fertilizer to be delivered deep into the soil. When the soil is fully saturated, it may maintain a reservoir of water that will slowly be absorbed into the soil as the soil begins to dry out. This is based loosely on the idea of the olla watering system that has been used for centuries, but with the additional benefit that fertilizer can also be used, which is not possible with a terra cotta olla.

Benefits of this system:

• Less water loss due to evaporation at the soil surface
• Encourages deep root growth
• Less plant disease due to water splashing on leaves during watering
• Water less frequently

This system has three sizes: large, medium, and mini. The mini (carrot) pot is ideal for containers and functions less as a reservoir than the other two, but still allows for deeper watering and feeding. There is also an optional funnel that can be used for easier watering and feeding (or for turning the pot into a toy for toddlers). The medium and mini are printable on the A1 mini. The large might be printable on the A1 mini with slight scaling down, but this has not been tested.

Printing recommendations:

• I prefer PLA for environmental reasons, but PETG is going to hold up better outside in the long run.
• 0.4 nozzle
• 0.2 or 0.3 layer height both work (0.2 looks nicer, but 0.3 can save time)
• 3 walls, 15% infill
• Arachne walls on