Garden Innovations Aqua Balance Plant Watering Spikes and Globes with Weather/Temperature Controlled (4 Pack), Garden Green, 1.25 Litre

I purchased these to keep my plants watered while I went for a week away.I’ve been looking for ways to keep plants watered but the options are quite few and far between.These seemed to fit my requirements. I’m the box there were:4 green water ‘bottles’4 screw attachments5 spikesThey are pretty simple to use; fill them with water up to the max line, screw on the attachment, turn it upside down to make sure water squirts out the side, put the spike in the desired place and pop the bottle in.There is a copper wire inside which is meant to act as a frequency measure (push it in for more/less water) I’m not sure how well that works but either way it worked ok for me.I used mine in 3 thin raised planters containing tomato plants. I gave the plants a really good soak before putting in these globes. Went on holiday for a week and when I came back the globes were empty but my plants were still alive. They had started to wilt and they were desperate for more water but I’ve no doubt these helped.These are more capacious than other globes I’ve seen which is why I bought them.I don’t have any complaints about them. They suited my needs and kept my tomatoes alive!

I’m glad I bought these some considerable time before I needed them, and that I gave them a trial run before our 17 night holiday. It took several goes to work out that the little mechanism that fits inside the bottle needs to be half-in and half-out (I defy anyone to understand the instruction booklet, and my email to the supplier brought no clarity.) Even then, and I’d bought 12 of these, a couple of them either drained the bottle immediately or didn’t drip at all.On the point of giving up and giving a bad review, I persevered with my trial and, satisfied that I’d mastered their operation, left my 12 geraniums at their mercy.I was delighted to find all alive and thriving on our return - and there’d been an exceptional heatwave in our absence.It’s true that our balcony is shaded, but, even so, the bottles were extremely effective and had obviated the need to ask neighbours to come in and water the plants.

Purchased 2x 4 packs during recent hot spell to water outside plants during holiday.Noticed missing drip cap when unpacking and contacted seller (Garden Innovations) who promised to mail the missing cap. This was never received and further contact is ignored. Very disappointing when spending ~£50.Product works ok, mixed results on drip speed as this is pure trial and error.Would not use supplier again.

I've just placed my second order, they seem pricey but I'm so pleased with them. I use them in my greenhouse for when I am away as it keeps the tomatoes (and other plants) watered with a regular supply instead of me coming home and sloshing them after they have dried out. I'm not sure I'd use them in my garden as on a hot day they would likely drain really quickly. It's saving my greenhouse plants a lot of stress as it sits in direct sunlight. As they are set up in a hot place they do empty quite quickly but they did last the week while I was away and still had a small amount left in them when I got back. Once the spike is in position you just take the bottle out and fill it with water (I use mine with liquid plant food also) and then pop it back into the spike so the roots are never disturbed by removing the spike in and out of the soil. I would definitely recommend this product.

These are very frustrating. The bottom line is that they will not keep plants watered for two weeks. Install one of these, go away for 14 nights, you'll almost certainly come back to dead plants.The premise of these is simple: fill the bottle with water, fit the dripper cap, upend into a hollowed spike and leave to drip. Water goes directly to the roots of the plants, and thus is delivered more efficiently than with a watering can, irrigation system or hose.The mechanics of the system are two-fold. The first is that the dripper speed can be adjusted by pushing the dripper needle in or out: for a slower drip, push the needle further in, for a faster drip, pull it out. The second part of the story is that these will react to temperature: on a warmer day, the dripper mechanism is supposed to expand: hot day, more water; cool day, less water.It sounds brilliant, and perhaps with better manufacturing control it might be – but it doesn't work. Regardless of settings or ambient temperature, the bottles empty themselves in a period of time between six and 48 hours.I have eight of these in window boxes. I've been experimenting with them over the last two weeks and, despite many adjustments, have been unable to get one to last more than two days. Within that range, the actual drip-rate of any bottle is random: two bottles adjusted the same (or as near as I can get it without resort to callipers) will drip at different rates. I've done this experiment in full sun, partial shade, shade, and – just to be certain – in a cupboard.In short, they don't work.

I purchased these purely on good reviews by others. They last only a day or two in my baskets even though I had topped up the baskets with water. The copper tube inside does not stay at the level required working loose. No good to leave if you are on vacation only good for putting in place in case you don't have time to water your baskets or pots...... Looks if all they have to offer won't buy anymore or waste my money way too expensive!!

Brilliant item they are a winner

I bought these to water my potted plants in a very hot spell whilst I was away for a long weekend. They remained upright and kept my plants watered. I very much doubt if they will last as long as it is claimed but they made sufficient difference for the weekend.