A possible solution

we have a smallish 10x10 gazebo in our backyard. There are shelves on each of the legs for potted plants and each year we attempt in vain to put some kind of potted flower on each. The problem is that as soon as the season gets hotter we can't keep up with the watering, either by virtue of forgetfulness on our part to include it in the morning routine, or the heat, or the plants using it fast. Bigger pots are out of the question, the thin metal supports and shelves of the gazebo wont bear the weight. My possible solution below may remedy it.





capillary watering is nothing new, the wick medium (probably braided felt) will travel up a pvc pipe to prevent drying the wick out. The question then becomes, can I run that long of a wick and still have it be effective?

If this is proven reliable, what is next? Well since I plan to put some manner of water storage under the deck anyway, why not mount planter boxes on the edges of the deck and wick water from the rainwater tanks below? Given enough tank capacity and rain to fill it, could deck planters become completely automated without complicated and expensive drip soaker hoses? Seems to simple and easy to be true. I wonder.