Florafelt Compact Living Wall Kit Instructions

Placement Considerations

Lighting

• Adequate lighting is important to grow plants
• Consider adding halogen or High Power LED spot lights
• Place the plant wall across from a windowed wall
• Choose plants appropriate for the existing conditions
• Learn about plant lighting requirements online

Waterproof the area

• For the most part the system will not drip however, leakage is possible so be prepared
• Choose location with a waterproof flooring
• Provide a tray below the garden

Safety Notes

• Children and Pets
• Tank spillage
• Electric shock
• Some plants are poisonous
• Drowning hazard

Parts List

• Florafelt 8-pocket planter (folded)
• Water tube, attached to panel
• Pump connection fittings, at hose end
• 3-gallon tank
• Water pump, with 6’ cord
• Timer, 110v grounded
  • Digital type
  • Instructions included in packaging
  • Interior use only
• 2 Wall Mollies
  • Screw into drywall with Phillips screwdriver
• 2 L Hooks
  • screw into drywall mollies
  • Or use directly when mounting to wood
• 8 Florafelt Root Wrappers
• 8 rubber bands

Wall Mounting

Measure

• Measure from the floor up 62 inches
• Measure 5 inches each side from the center
• Mark hanger location, total 10 inches apart
• Make as level as possible by eye, or with a level

Wall Mollies

• For installation in drywall only
• L-hooks can be installed directly in wood
• Concrete will require another type of connector
• Use provided Wall Mollies
  • Place pointed end on drywall mark
  • Use a hammer to partially start
  • Use a phillips head screwdriver to screw into wall
  • Push in with force, turn screwdriver to the right
  • Stop when flush with drywall
  • If drywall is weak or damaged molly will not hold
• May require drywall repair
• May require another type of wall molly

L-Hooks

• Screw L-hook into wall molly
• If wood, drill 1/8” hole then screw in L-hook
• Other types of hangers may be used

Hang Planter

• Locate nylon hanging tabs at the top of the planter
• Place the hoops over the L-hooks or other hanger
• Make sure planter is hanging straight up and down
• Relocate wall mounts if necessary

System Preparation

Stretch Open Pockets

• The planter ships with the pockets flat
• Reach in each pocket with your fist and stretch open
• You may pull very hard to stretch open completely
• Use the handle of a hammer for leverage to make stretching easier

Place Tank

• Place tank below the planter
• Position the planter inside the tank
• Planter should hang inside the tank 1-2 inches
• If planter is above the tank it will cause leakage
• You may need to adjust planter height
• Add a drip tray under tank in water sensitive areas

Connect Water Tube to Pump

• Locate the tube and connector at the base of the planter
• Note the tube inside the connector is open and free of blockage
• Attach to the threaded connector on the pump
• Turn to the right carefully in oder to not strip the threads
• Place the pump into the tank
• Push extra tubing into the tank being careful not to cause kinks

Set Timer

• Read instructions provided with timer.
• Use a grounded plug or extension cord for safety

Watering System

Plug In

• Plug the timer into a grounded outlet or plug into grounded extension cord
• Provided timer is intended for indoor use only

Fill Tank

• Add fresh clean water to the tank
• Fill to just below the bottom edge of the planter
• Do not add water to the tank while the pump is on
• Wait 30 minutes after watering cycle to add water
• Wait for water to be finished dripping from the planter
• Otherwise, water may overflow from tank

Check Flow

• When the water tank is full
• Turn on the manual timer switch
• Observe water flow from the top of the planter
• Peek behind the felt at the top edge
• Locate the tube that is taped in place about halfway down the pocket
• Notice that water is flowing from the tube
• Feel inside each pocket to make sure the bottom crease feels moist
• If water is not flowing from the tube
  • Make sure the timer is plugged in
  • Check that the the plug is working
  • Check the timer is turn to the manual on position
  • Check there are no obstructions in the tube
  • Feel the tubing behind the felt for kinks, pinch to unkink
  • Check the pump is working properly while disconnected
  • Still no luck?
  • Call us so we can help (770) 406-6330

Planting

Wrap Plants

• The fun part!
• A Florafelt Root Wrapper is provided for each pocket
• You can combine multiple plants in each wrapper
• See our online how to videos: http://florafelt.com/video-library
• Use the box it shipped in as a tidy place to wrap
• We strongly recommend using Root Wraps
  • Contains the soil to prevent air gaps
  • Much less messy
  • Makes changing plants easy
  • Roots grow through the felt preventing root binding
  • Plants breathe which is better for the soil and roots.

Using Root Wrappers

• Start with a diamond shape
• Fold the top corner down to create your top soil line
• Place your plant facing forward and spread the root ball flat
• Fold the bottom corner up
• Fold the bottom edge up
• Hold down the edges and fold in the tips
• Use a rubber band to hold it together (optional)
• See our How-to-Videos at plantsonwalls.com/videos

Root Wrap Tips

• Hold the felted bundle together and secure with a rubber band.  Like putting a diaper on the root ball.
• If you don’t get it right the first time, try again.
• Pre-moisten the Root Wrapper for sensitive plants

Plant Your Garden

• Simply insert the wrapped plant into the pocket
• Be sure the over lapping layers of the wrap face to the front
• Make sure the pocket is stretched open completely
• Stuff it down nice and tight so it touches the bottom of the pocket
• If it’s too large, unwrap and remove some soil
• If it’s too loose, unwrap and add some soil
• It’s easiest to start at the bottom and work up
• The planter tends to be wetter at the bottom and dryer at the top, plant accordingly
• Run the water when you first plant to help moisten new roots

Maintenance

• Top off tank as needed
• Do not fill when running or dripping
• Keep plugged in
• Observe plants and act quickly
• Check water flow
• Clean pump regularly
  • Unplug and detach tube connector
  • Remove from tank
  • Wipe pump clean
  • Remove pump cover by pulling from the sides
  • Remove impeller cover by twisting with pliers
  • Remove floating impeller, pull out with pliers
  • Clean all parts with fresh water and vinegar
  • Reassemble
  • Reconnect tube connector
  • Insert into tank
  • Plug in to timer
  • Remove debris from tank

Maintenance Tips

Don’t Overwater

• In low light plants use very little water
• Soaking plants will cause root rot and mold
• Most interior plants should slightly wilt before needing water
• Turn off timer / switch on manually as needed
• Use a weekly timer

Hard Water Deposits

• A white stain will appear on the felt
• Spray with vinegar/water solution to dissolve

Fertilizer

• Add small amounts of fertilizer to the tank
• We prefer organic fertilizers such as MAXSEA
  • Less salts build up
  • Keeps soil alive
• Use very little fertilizer
• Only add when plants look pale
• Too much will cause excess sugars and attract insects

Share Your Garden

• Email us photos: [email protected]
• Hashtag on Social Media: #florafelt