Florafelt Compact Living Wall Kit - Instructions

About | Design Ideas | 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

    • Mechanical 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 and carefully not to strip the threads

  • Place the pump into the tank

  • Push extra tubing into the tank being careful not to cause kinks

Set Timer

  • Open the timer packaging with scissors

  • Locate the timer instructions, on the timer itself

  • Read the instructions carefully

  • The timer provided is for indoor use only

  • Outdoor timers can be purchased separately

  • Weekly timers and digital timers might work better for your situation

Watering System

Timer Tips

  • Use a grounded plug or extension cord for safety

  • Use switch to manually turn the timer on and off

  • Turn the dial to set the current time

  • Note the dial pins can be snapped out and in

    • Out is for OFF

    • In is for ON

  • Each pin represents 30 minutes

    • Use a pencil to set an individual pin

  • To set the timer to run once a day for 30 minutes

    • Pull all pins out to OFF

    • Then push a single pin in for ON

    • Choose a time to water when you are home

    • For manual watering

    • Pull all pins out to OFF

    • Then switch for pump on when needed

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

  • 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: info@florafelt.com

  • Hashtag on Social Media: #florafelt