Ravello Planters, 23"

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

Let me first say that I have 4 of Gardners self-watering rectangle patio planters that I have used for several years for tomatoes - fantastic product! I also have 1 "whiskey barrel" self-watering planter that also works very well for my flowers. So when I needed 2 more to replace old wooden whiskey barrels that were rotting, I turned to Gardners. The Ravello seemed like an OK addition since they were no longer selling the whiskey barrel I had already purchased - BIG MISTAKE. The "reservoir" is a joke - too small at 1 gallon. The assembly of the 2 platforms (one upside down) was comical, and the watering tube goes up the CENTER of the pot (not suitable for one large geranium) and is too short (see other reviews). This is a rip-off and Gardners should be embarrassed about even offering it. Also, my instructions didn't say anything about needing to drill drain holes, so I have lost one large "mother geranium" to rot and am trying to nurse the other one back to health. BUYER BEWARE!!!

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

I have had this planter for several weeks and my attempts, so far, have been unsuccessful at correcting the self-watering gizmo, which does not fit this size container. Since the planter's decorative design, size and color are perfect for my needs, I am determined to make it work. But, it is proving to be frustrating. It would have helped if GSC had said a modification was necessary beforehand. Using their suggestion of turning one reservoir upside down and placing a second on top of it causes the loss of too much soil content for the size plant of my intended use. OPTIMAL SOLUTION: GSC redesign the self-watering feature so that it fits this beautiful planter! If they did, I'd order additional ones. It's that attractive!

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

Love how it looks like it is made of a heavy matierial but it is so light weight.

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

large enough for deep rooted plants; I have 4 of them and they're great on my deck

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

I was surprised how large the planter was. I should have paid attention to the dimensions when I ordered it. Though I decided to keep it and I think it looks great and holds a veritable garden of flowering plants and ivy now. Took me a little time to figure out the self watering device. I had to rig a way to close the water cap, because it didn't latch. I am looking forward to watering less. Have to say I'm very happy with it overall.

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

The self-watering grid and black pails are too small for this large pot. We added a foam (Pink Insulation type) circle cut to fit the pot to hold the soil above the grid, otherwise, it would have fallen down the insides of the pot. With this modification, we love this planter. For those who have issues with the tube being too short, you need to add the second black pail upside down to support the right-side up pail. This will raise the tube up.

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

The container doesn't have the weathered bronze appearance like that picture in the catalog or on the web page. It seems sturdy, but let's hope it weathers well. Unfortunately the SIP included was clearly an improvization and far too small for the container, resulting in several problems. 1) To bring the fill tube opening near the top of the pot, you have to turn the extra bowl upsidedown, set it in the bottom of the planter, and then set the reservoir on top of it. But that brings the fill tube opening just barely even with the rim of the planter. 2) For the float mechanism in the fill tube to function properly, the fill tube should be straight up and down, but since the hole in which it sits is so close to the center of the pot, even a small root ball forces the fill tube at an angle. 3) With the fill tube now at such an angle, it's about 1-2" below the rim of the planter. 4) Putting the additional bowl under the reservoir costs you 4" or more of soil under the plant and makes it impossible to use for some plants. At [$] each, it should come with an SIP that fits the container. Unfortunately I figured all this out after drilling holes in the bottom (the first step in setting up the planter), so I couldn't return them. With a properly sized SIP, it would be fine and I could recommend them.

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

These are great looking and garnered many compliments from my neighbors and passersby last summer. They really performed well in full sun during the hot, dry months. The only problem with them was that I had to drill my own drainage holes in the sides, to prevent excess rainfall from overflowing the reservoir and filling up the container.

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

This large pot is the main attraction on my small deck. I only had room for one planter this size, and I am so happy with this one.

Comments about Ravello Planters, 23":

self watering feature a JOKE. the water tube even fully extended was not long enough to accommodate the size of this planter, it was appx 2 inches from top of planter, and with bottom depth taken up by the water resevoir, it is simply not functional as a self watering pot. It was a rip off, in terms of the quality of the pot and the fact that self watering feature was useless...