Place upright in soil between the edge of the pot and plant stem, and insert until the “JAPAN” mark on the product is hidden.
After watering your plant, the Sustee device absorbs moisture at the root level, then the level of absorbed water rises, and the indicator gradually becomes blue.
Leave Sustee in the soil – it is time for watering when the color returns to white.
WHITE = DRY (water)
BLUE = WET (don't water)
How do I take care of SUSTEE?
After long periods of usage SUSTEE might not react as swiftly as it should. This may be due to soil sticking to it. Mix neutral detergent with warm water, place SUSTEE upside down (the window facing downwards) in it, and let it soak for about an hour. Whatever is sticking to SUSTEE should come off and dissolve this way.
After cleaning, let SUSTEE dry till it shows white. It can be used again after cleaning.
How much water should I use?
The correct amount of water equals a fifth to a quarter of your pot's volume. Try to water evenly.
I see no color change on SUSTEE after watering. What's wrong?
One of the following may be hindering the water supply:
<First-time use>
Not enough water was given. When using SUSTEE for the first time, please water generously after inserting it in the pot until water drips out into the saucer. However, excess water in the saucer must be avoided afterward.
<SUSTEE is in poor condition>
SUSTEE has a hole at its bottom for soaking up moisture. If it gets clogged with old soil, excess roots of a root-bound plant, or dirt with extremely high viscosity, SUSTEE may no longer absorb water. This can be improved by loosening the soil before inserting it in the SUSTEE device or trying a new spot for its insertion.
<Water drains too well to be absorbed by SUSTEE>
SUSTEE has a hole at its bottom for soaking up moisture. Water may drain too quickly in extremely grainy earth for SUSTEE to absorb, resulting in no color change. This may be improved by pouring water mindfully over the bottom of the SUSTEE device when watering the plant.
The color indication may work better if SUSTEE is inserted into the potting soil before watering. The device is constructed so that its core will soak up water through a capillary effect and change color. A kind of pump-priming effect can be expected.