Design Considerations

• Indoor Lighting: Add a track lighting system and use low light indoor tropical plants.
• Natural Light: Bright indirect light is best for indoor tropical plants.
• Outdoors: Choose a spot with the right amount of sun for your plants.
• Grounded Power: The unit needs a 110V grounded outlet nearby.

Mounting Safety

• Mount the unit on a wall or a solid surface to prevent tipping.
• The Recirc 33 unit ships with wall mounting brackets and has a 20 gallon tank that adds 160 lbs of weight to the unit.
• It must be placed on a solid surface preferably the floor.
• Designers can also custom build the units into the carpentry of buildings for integrated living wall designs.
• The Recirc 33 Free Standing unit does not need to be attached to a wall.
• The Recirc 24 Wall unit is designed to be mounted on the wall using cleats which are included and attached to the planter frame.

Moisture:

• Florafelt planters are intended for water-safe areas.
• Generally water will remain within the unit but there is always the possibility that water can drip from the leaves of plants or roots can direct water outside of the unit during water cycling periods.
• If you intend to use the unit indoors over wood floors or carpeting use extra caution to observe the unit during pump operation.
• Use common sense when placing the unit and be willing to clean up occasional plant

Winter Exposure:

• Recirc units are not designed to handle freezing temperatures and freezing water in their tanks.
• This may damage the tank and cause leaks.

Regular Maintenance:

• Water the plants daily.
• Check and refill the water tank weekly.
• Drain and replace water every 4-6 months to prevent buildup from fertilizers.
• A thriving garden requires love and attention.
• Do not add water while the unit is on. Water will continue to drip from the planter and cause overflow.
• Wait one hour after the pump cycle or when all water has stopped dripping from the felt planter to add water.

Fertilize

• With each watering a tablespoon of gentle organic based fertilizer is suggested. We have had good success with most plants using Maxsea 16:16:16. One teaspoon added monthly only in the Spring and Summer growing seasons is recommended.

Children and Pets:

• Be aware that gardens can be damaged by children and pets.
• Some plants are toxic, so choose plants carefully.
• Florafelt can be damaged by claws, teeth, and beaks.
• The Recirc unit can tip over if climbed on, so use common sense and be selective about its placement.

Unit Installation

• Carefully remove the packing materials from the unit, being careful not to scratch the finish.
• Take out the loose contents of the water tank, including the 3-prong Plug-in Digital Timer, Root Wrappers (1 per pocket), Wall Tipping Support Brackets (Recirc-33 Only), Wall Mount Cleat (Recirc-24 Only), Pump Cord, and Plastic Packing Sheet.
• For the Recirc-33 unit, use the provided wall mounting brackets to attach the top of the planter to the wall to prevent it from tipping forward. The unit must rest on a solid surface, and the brackets will not support the entire weight of the unit. Use bolts or drywall molly bolts (not included) and spacers to prevent scratches on the unit surface. If unsure, consult a local builder or handy person to assist.
• The Recirc-24 unit is designed to be mounted on the wall using cleats which are included and attached to the planter frame.
• To prevent tipping, make sure to use the provided wall support brackets and place the unit on a solid surface.

Recirc-33 Tipping Support Brackets

• The Recirc-33 unit may tip forward as plant materials grow, to prevent this use the provided wall mounting brackets.
• Replace top frame cap screws with provided stainless steel wall mount brackets.
• Align the bracket vertically, and use bolts or drywall molly bolts (not included) to attach the top of the unit to the wall.
• Use spacers to prevent brackets from scratching the unit surface.
• If unsure, consult a local builder or handy person to assist.
• The unit must rest on a solid surface and the brackets will not support the entire weight of the unit.
• The wall supports are strongly recommended when the unit is permanently installed on a wall surface.

Recirc-24 Wall Mount Cleat

• The Recirc-24 unit can be mounted on the wall using the provided wall mount cleat and drywall mounting hardware.
• Attach the lower cleat strip to the wall and lift the unit into place making sure the two cleat parts are fully engaged.
• Use provided rubber feet at the base of the unit to support the unit away from the wall.

Plug It In

• Plug the grounded pump cord into the grounded timer.
• Then plug the timer into a grounded outlet.
• For extra safety, it is recommended to install a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) type plug to prevent injury due to shock.
• Read the Timer instructions to learn how to set up the timer properly.
• Do not run the pump when dry.
• Read pump instructions to learn how to operate and maintain pump components safely.

Fill It Up

• Lift the lid on top of the tank.
• Fill the tank so the final water level is 2 inches below the top.
• Use filtered water if possible, as minerals can build up in the felt over time and limit optimal plant health.
• Neutralize the chlorine by using fish aquarium drops or carbon filtered water if possible.
• Most common plants can thrive with regular tap water, but note that chlorine may affect plant health.

Do Not Overfill

• DO NOT FILL TO TOP OF TANK WHILE PUMP IS IN OPERATION. WAIT 1 HOUR AFTER WATER HAS STOPPED DRIPPING FROM THE FELT PANEL BEFORE ADDING WATER TO THE TANK.

Hard Water Issues

• Some areas have high lime in their water supplies.
• High lime water can cause mineral deposits and raise pH levels making it hard for plants to absorb nutrients.
• An inline filter can be used to purify the water supply.
• A portable refill system can be created using water filter parts available on the website: http://www.florafelt.com/water-filter-parts

Run and Test

• Switch on manual operation
• Run pump
• Listen for hum
• Wait approximately 10 minutes
• Water will drip from bottom edge of felt into tank
• Front of felt will remain dry
• Inside back of each pocket will feel moist when pressed
• This is how plants receive daily moisture.

Planting

Select Plants

6 inch potted plants are a good choice for a full grown-in look, one plant per pocket. You’ll need to remove about 1/3 of the soil and flatten the root ball a bit. Alternatively, you can use 2-3 of the 4 inch potted plants or 6 pack starts, cuttings, bulbs, or trays of plant material for more variety. Starting with just soil and using seeds to start plants is also an option.

Use Root Wraps

Felt Root Wraps are an effective accessory for the Florafelt pocket system. They provide a neat and convenient way to change and reorganize your vertical garden. The felt material enables water to be absorbed by the soil and over time, the roots will grow into the felt. After prolonged growth, some plants may even become intertwined with the pockets. It is recommended to view the video on the website for more information.

Plant Your Vertical Garden

Create a visually pleasing arrangement by placing moisture-loving plants at the bottom and taller plants near the top. Experiment with different placement to ensure all plants have enough light and to achieve a harmonious balance. Be prepared to adjust the arrangement as plants grow and change over time.

Watering Schedule

• Consider the environment, such as humidity and lighting.
• Fern walls need 15-20 minutes of watering a day.
• Tropical plants indoors may need only 1 minute of watering a day or 3 times a week.
• Check plant health in case of pump failure or low humidity in the wall.
• Observe your plants weekly and make adjustments as needed.

Maintenance

Observation

Observe the plants and make sure they are not being over watered or allowed to get too dry. Some low-light or high humidity locations will not dry out as quickly. Most interior house plants require a partial dry-out between watering. Too much water will cause the plants to rot and die. Be careful not to confuse this with under watering. You may want to manually water the unit by plugging it in once the plants have become slightly dry. Keep track of the days that pass then set your timer accordingly. You may also want to obtain a digital timer that can be programed to water 3 days per week, instead of daily.

Like any garden your plants will be much happier if they are getting lots of love and attention.

Top Off Tanks

Top off the water tanks weekly or as needed. Make sure the unit is not dripping and at least an hour after a watering cycle has run. Otherwise the water will continue to drip from the panel above and cause the tank to overflow.

Fertilizer

Add mild fertilizers to the tank for optimal plant performance. Most house plants come with time-release fertilizer in their pots. This will provide adequate fertilizer for at least 6 months or longer. Typically very little fertilizer is needed to keep plants happy. When you do choose to fertilize we strongly recommend to use organic based fertilizers such as Maxsea to keep the soil microbiology alive and prevent chemical salt buildup. One teaspoon added to the tank monthly is recommended. Or you can use Jobes organic plant spikes which are also an easy and convenient way to add fertilizer to the tanks. Add a couple of these each month or so.

Water Change-Out

The plants will always enjoy a fresh water change out every 6 months. You can wait longer but pH balance will tend to become acidic and become difficult for some plants. Use a syphon or pump to empty the tank. Then refill with fresh water. Be sure the unit has stopped dripping before topping off the tanks.