Planter - Self Watering - Utilitarian

These were designed to keep my pepper plants in between seed starting and planting in the ground after the last frost. I also have some tomatoes in them.

The wicks, connectors, and funnel are optional.

I find that I don't connect them together as much as I thought I would.

Every planter that I have printed with the settings below has been waterproof.

If you get one that isn't waterproof you can add a thin layer of exterior waterproof wood glue.

I did this for two planters while experimenting with settings (extrusion multiplier).

No supports for any of these.

Planters: Use PETG or better for greater flexibility and UV resistance

I prefer to use translucent filament so that I can see the water level and the condition of the roots

Take care not to exceed the “Max volumetric speed” of your printer/hotend or it won’t be waterproof

The skirt needs to be disabled if printing the large planter on a Mini

• Print Settings:

1. Layers and perimeters -> Layer height -> 0.2
2. Layers and perimeters -> Vertical shells -> Perimeters -> 1
3. Layers and perimeters -> Quality -> Detect thin walls -> Enabled
4. Infill -> Infill -> Fill density -> 100%
5. Speed -> Speed for print moves -> Infill -> 30
6. Speed -> Speed for print moves -> Solid infill -> 30
7. Speed -> Speed for print moves -> Top solid infill -> 30
8. Advanced -> Extrusion width -> External perimeters -> 1mm

• Filament Settings:

1. Filament -> Filament -> Extrusion multiplier -> 1.2 (required to make it water proof)
2. Cooling -> Slow down if layer print time is below -> 10 (optional for faster print)

• Plater: optional

1. Insert a manual g-code (“M221 S75”) at 31mm
   • Reduces over extrusion above the level of the water reservoir
   • This makes the top part look somewhat better

Funnel: I have printed in PLA and PETG

• Print Settings:

1. Layers and perimeters -> Layer height -> 0.2
2. Layers and perimeters -> Spiral vase -> enabled
3. Horizontal shells -> Solid layers -> Bottom -> 10
4. Speed -> Speed for print moves -> External perimeters -> 35 (reduced speed for better overhangs)
5. Advanced -> Extrusion width -> External perimeters -> 1.0mm

• Filament Settings:

1. Filament -> Extrusion multiplier -> 1.15
2. Cooling -> Slow down if layer print time is below -> 5 (optional for faster print)

Connectors: Use PETG or better for greater flexibility and UV resistance

               Best to print them in batches due to their small size

               Use a small brim if you want to print them with zero bottom (and top) layers

               Layer height 0.2 and Infill 0%

Wicks: I have printed in PLA and PETG

The wick inserts into the middle of the planter but I am not sure it lifts water significantly better than just filling the middle with dirt. You can also use a rope wick dropped into the center.

• Print Settings:

1. Layers and perimeters -> Layer height -> 0.1 (they do not lift water as well with thicker layers)
2. Layers and perimeters -> Horizontal shells -> Solid layers -> Bottom -> 0
3. Layers and perimeters -> Horizontal shells -> Minimum shell thickness -> Bottom -> 0
4. Layers and perimeters -> Vertical shells -> Spiral vase -> enabled
5. Speed -> Speed for print moves -> External perimeters -> 80
6. Advanced -> Extrusion width -> First layer -> 0.3mm
7. Advanced -> Extrusion width -> External perimeters -> 0.4mm

• Use side cutters to snip apart the two wicks and trim as needed to fit in the center of the planter (one in each planter)