Florafelt Pocket Panels Installation Guide
Make Living Walls Easy
Florafelt Pocket Panels are the easiest and most affordable way to create a living wall or vertical garden. Simply mount the panels to a waterproofed surface, stretch open the pockets, then plant. Please take the time to read and understand our instructions. We’ve been using the system successfully for years and have learned the best ways to use this unique vertical garden system. Designers use the system worldwide with incredible success. The best part is that you can easily change out plants and modify irrigation at will. Review our installation instructions below to learn how it’s done.
Safety Tips
- Use caution when using tools to protect yourself from injury
- Ensure proper grounding of electrical devices and always use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in wet locations and where needed
- Make water holding tanks child safe by using locked covers
- Manage small parts and clean up work areas to prevent choking hazards
- Be aware of toxic plant materials around pets or children
- Wear gloves to protect hands when using tools or handling plant materials
Florafelt Mounting Methods
There are many ways to mount Florafelt Pocket Panels. You can simply hang them from their included mounting tabs or screw them directly to waterproofed walls. Have a look at our mounting methods link below.
Hang From Mounting Tabs
Florafelt Pocket Panels are lightweight modular panels with felt pockets attached to a rigid plastic board. The panels come with hanging tabs so they can also be hung on hooks, nails, or deck screws which works great for small installations in wet areas. See: Hang On Hooks
Florafelt Pockets Living Wall Waterproof Install Detail
The Florafelt Pocket living walls can be installed indoors, but special care needs to be taken to protect the surface from moisture. The detail drawing provided by Florafelt can be used to construct a custom living wall installation that suits your needs. The edge frame details help to finish the edge for a professional and tidy detail.
Additionally, a recirculating system can be created by connecting the gutter to a water collection tank. This way the water can be reused and it will help to conserve water as well as reducing the need for frequent watering.
How To Attach Panels to Walls
Here are the best ways to permanently install Florafelt Pockets (Vertical Garden Planters) with a neat framed edge of wood or metal. Metal edges can also double as drain trays for a minimalist finish that makes the plants float from a thin plane.
Use #8 – 1 5/8″ smooth coated deck screws. Four per panel. See photo for location. Lift side flaps and locate screws inside edge of pocket. Before mounting the wall, start all four screws in the panel. For the 24 pocket panel use 6 screws.
Recommended Hardware:
Grip-Rite #8 x 1-5/8 in. Philips Bugle-Head Coarse Thread Sharp Point Polymer Coated Exterior Screw. Home Depot
Stretch Open Pockets
Before you plant, first stretch open all the pockets using a small pipe or tool handle to get leverage. Pull firmly but not excessively. Felt will give and stretch to about 2 ½ inches out.
Tuck in the Flaps
Very important for even watering! Necessary when stacking panels vertically. Tuck the bottom flap of the upper panel behind the top flap of the one below.
Florafelt Root Wraps
Wraps are made from the same material as the pockets only thinner. Wraps wick water to the soil. Root will grow into and through the loosely woven felt. Wraps are very important because they hold the soil together and prevent air gaps. They can be reused or you can order new ones here.
Change and Rearrange
Plants can be removed and changed. Mature plants attach themselves to the felt by their roots but can still be removed if required. Small hair like roots can be broken and moved if necessary. Often root disturbance will not harm the plant if moved.
Root Wraps Make Planting a Breeze
Root wraps, made from the same water-wicking materials as the Pocket Panels, are a great way to ensure that the roots of your plants grow through and into the living wall system. They also make it easy to handle and change out plants in your living wall.
The Florafelt pockets come with a custom Root-Wrapping system, which is like a soft barrier for each plant. These wraps are made from 100% recycled water bottle plastics and are designed to last a lifetime.
Planting the Wall
It is important to install and test the irrigation system before using it. Check for even flow by feeling inside the back of the pockets. Moisture should collect at the bottom fold of each pocket, while the front of the pocket should remain dry to allow the roots and soil to breathe.
When planting, ensure that the folds of the wrapped plant are facing towards the front and seat the root-wrapped plant firmly to touch the bottom of the pocket. Water will be absorbed by the plant’s roots, and over time the roots will grow through the wrapper and into the moist felt pocket.
Florafelt Pocket Panels Irrigation
The Florafelt Pocket Panel system uses minimal soil, so it must be watered frequently depending on the exposure and types of plants used. It’s important to note that because water moves through the system, watering more frequently for shorter periods will conserve water. The frequency of watering will vary depending on the situation and type of plants.
For example, exterior walls may need to be watered 4 times a day for 5 minutes, while interior walls may only need to be watered 2 times a day for 15 minutes or every other day for 10 minutes.
The best timing cycle for your living wall can be determined by observing the soil and touching it. If the soil is soggy, you are probably watering it too much. You want moist soil, not soggy soil.
If the soil seems dry, it needs more water. Avoid allowing the wall to get too dry, as this can cause plants to wilt and make it difficult to rehydrate the very dry, hydrophobic soil.
Water Flows Through
The Florafelt Pocket Panels require regular and consistent watering. Water moves through the system and drips from the bottom. Moisture collects at the bottom fold in each pocket. Roots grow into the moist felt. Wrapped plants must touch the bottom fold to wick moisture.
Hand Watering
Hand watering the Florafelt Pocket Panel system might be a good option if you enjoy tending to your garden frequently with a hose, or if you have an urban storefront or cafe where hosing down the sidewalk is a daily task. However, it’s important to note that different types of plants have different water needs.
For example, succulents that like to get completely dry between waterings will do well with hand watering, but herbs and other plants will do better with a drip irrigation system that keeps the roots consistently moist.
It’s important to consider the types of plants you will be using and their specific water requirements when deciding on the best watering method for your living wall.
Connect to Existing Drip Systems
Automatic irrigation is highly recommended for the Florafelt Pocket Panel system. It is best to connect it to its own “zone” so you can easily adjust the watering schedule.
Vertical gardens require more frequent watering than traditional planters. For most exterior situations, it is suggested to water 4 times a day for 5-10 minutes. However, it is important to note that watering needs may vary depending on the specific location and types of plants used, so it is important to adjust the schedule as needed.
Observing the soil moisture, foliage and plant’s health will help you to fine-tune the watering schedule for optimal growth.
Drip Irrigation Kit
The Florafelt Pocket Panel system offers a pre-assembled drip irrigation kit that can save you time and hassle. The kit includes a pre-assembled timer, filter, and pressure regulator unit that makes it easy to set up and get started quickly. The irrigation and button emitters can also be customized to fit your specific installation. This option is ideal for those who want to ensure that their plants receive the optimal amount of water without the need for manual watering. The pre-assembled kit simplifies the process and allows you to focus on other aspects of your vertical garden.
Drip to Garden or Planter Below
Many installations of the Florafelt Pocket Panel system are installed in places where there is a garden directly below the living wall. In these cases, it is important to consider adding a French drain or rock bed to catch any drips from the living wall. This will help to prevent flooding in the garden below. Additionally, it is recommended to set the irrigation timer to water in short bursts to minimize runoff and prevent any potential damage to the garden below. By taking these precautions, you can help to ensure that your living wall is well-watered while also protecting the garden below.
Direct Runoff to a Drain Nearby
- Catch excess water in a drain tray
- Direct water to a nearby drain
- Use on patios that need to stay dry
- Drain to a cistern for reclaim use
- Drain to a nearby planting bed in your garden
Recirculating Systems
Feeding
After 6 months, the soil in the wall will begin to lose its nutrients. Depending on the plant choices, the natural decay within the wall can reach a balance. However, in most cases, the plants will prefer to be fed. To keep the microbiology within the soil active and alive, we recommend using organic-based fertilizers.
A good choice would be Maxsea seaweed-based fertilizer or a similar product. It is important to wait until the leaves of the plants become slightly pale before feeding them to avoid over-fertilization. Too much fertilizer will make the plants grow too quickly and produce sugars that will attract pests.
Additionally, it is important to avoid chemical fertilizers as they can cause salt buildup and harm the plants.
Manual Fertilizing Options
To ensure that the plants in the wall are getting the nutrients they need, it is important to spray diluted fertilizer topically with a pressure sprayer. This should be done in the Spring or Summer as needed.
Additionally, adding organic time-release plant food spikes under the drip emitters at the top pockets can provide a steady supply of nutrients throughout the growing season. You can also add time-release pellets or spikes in plant pockets where needed for added fertilizer. By using a combination of topical spraying and time-release fertilizers, your plants will have the proper nutrition to thrive and grow.
Automatic Fertilizer Injector
To ensure that your plants are getting the proper nutrition, you can add a dosing pump to your irrigation system. The pump will add a very diluted plant food to your drip system, providing your plants with the necessary nutrients to thrive. A great option for this is the Dosatron inline plant food injectors, which use water pressure to operate the pump. This makes it very simple to use, as no additional electrical connection is required. A popular model for this is the Dosatron Fertilizer Injector D25F1. It is easy to install and will help you to maintain a healthy and beautiful green wall.
Recirc System Feeding
- Add Maxsea to tank, light feeding is best
- Often very little food is required for indoor plants, if any
- Light feeding in spring is good for most indoor plants
- Be careful not to over-feed, plants could produce excess sugars that can attract pests
Seasonal Use
- Plant colorful blooming annuals for color
- Try herbs and vegetables
- Allow to die back each year then replant in the spring
- Also you can start from seeds
Troubleshooting
- Contact us
- Send photos of your situation
- We can help you get it back on track