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
- 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
- Use very little fertilizer
- Only add when plants look pale
- Too much will cause excess sugars and attract insects
Tell us about your project. We can help.