Self-watering planter for use with flood floors

1 . A self-watering planter, comprising:

an interior cavity defined by a wall and a bottom surface;

at least one drainage riser extending from the bottom surface within the interior cavity, the at least one drainage riser having a centrally disposed drainage opening and at least one vertically disposed slit in fluid communication with the centrally disposed drainage opening; and

a recess formed on an external portion of the bottom surface, the recess configured to form at least one channel formed under the bottom surface when the self-watering planter interfaces with a supporting surface, wherein the centrally disposed drainage opening is in fluid communication with the at least one channel;

wherein the at least one channel provides an opening for flood floor water to enter the interior cavity and be stored in a reservoir region formed between the at least one vertically disposed slit and the bottom surface;

wherein an opening is at an end of each of the at least one channel and a cross section of the opening is larger than a cross section of the at least one channel.

2 . The self-watering planter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one drainage riser Includes a tapered shape.

3 . The self-watering planter of claim 1 , further comprising a permeable tray supported above the bottom surface and configured to receive a plant or growing medium.

4 . The self-watering planter of claim 3 , wherein the permeable tray includes a plurality of perforations to allow water and air flow.

5 . The self-watering planter of claim 1 , further comprising a centrally disposed support structure disposed in a central region on the external portion of the bottom surface, the centrally disposed support structure configured to prevent sag to maintain the at least one channel when the self-watering planter interfaces with the supporting surface.

6 . The self-watering planter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vertically disposed slit includes a cross-sectional area selected to permit a drainage rate.

7 . The self-watering planter of claim 1 , wherein the at least one vertically disposed slit is adjustable.

8 . A self-watering planter, comprising:

an interior cavity defined by a wall and a bottom surface;

a plurality of drainage risers extending from the bottom surface within the interior cavity, each drainage riser having a tapered shape, a centrally disposed drainage opening, and a plurality of vertically disposed slits in fluid communication with the centrally disposed drainage opening;

a recess formed on an external portion of the bottom surface, the recess configured to form a cross-shaped channel formed under the bottom surface when the self-watering planter interfaces with a supporting surface, wherein the centrally disposed drainage opening is in fluid communication with the cross-shaped channel;

a reservoir region formed between the bottom surface and a lower edge of each of the plurality of vertically disposed slits to store water; and

a centrally disposed support structure disposed in a central region on the external portion of the bottom surface, the centrally disposed support structure configured to prevent sag to maintain the cross-shaped channel when the self-watering planter interfaces with the supporting surface;

wherein the cross-shaped channel provides an opening for flood floor water to enter the interior cavity and be stored in the reservoir region;

wherein an opening is at an end of the cross-shaped channel and a cross section of the opening is lar ger than a cross section of the cross-shaped channel.

9 . The self-watering planter of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of drainage risers is arranged symmetrically around a center of the bottom surface.

10 . The self-watering planter of claim 8 , wherein the recess includes openings at ends of the cross-shaped channel that are larger than the cross-shaped channel to facilitate water flow.

11 . The self-watering planter of claim 8 , further comprising peripheral supports disposed on the external portion of the bottom surface, wherein the peripheral supports and the centrally disposed support structure include feet to provide stability and extend a clearance distance with the supporting surface.

12 . The self-watering planter of claim 8 , further comprising a permeable tray supported above the bottom surface and configured to receive a plant or growing medium, the permeable tray including a plurality of perforations to allow water and air flow.

13 . The self-watering planter of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of drainage risers includes conical shapes and extend from the bottom surface to a height below the permeable tray.

14 . The self-watering planter of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of vertically disposed slits include a cross-sectional area selected to permit a drainage rate.

15 . The self-watering planter of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of vertically disposed slits are adjustable.

16 . A self-watering planter, comprising:

an interior cavity defined by a wall and a bottom surface;

a plurality of conical drainage risers extending from the bottom surface within the interior cavity, each drainage riser having a centrally disposed drainage opening and vertically disposed slits in fluid communication with the centrally disposed drainage opening;

a cross-shaped recess formed on an external portion of the bottom surface, the cross-shaped recess configured to form a cross-shaped channel formed under the bottom surface when the self-watering planter interfaces with a supporting surface, wherein each centrally disposed drainage opening is in fluid communication with the cross-shaped channel;

a reservoir region formed between the bottom surface and a lower edge of the vertically disposed slits to store water;

a permeable tray supported above the bottom surface by a plurality of supports and configured to receive a plant or growing medium, the permeable tray including a plurality of perforations to allow water and air flow;

a centrally disposed support structure disposed in a central region on the external portion of the bottom surface within the cross-shaped recess, the centrally disposed support structure configured to prevent sag to maintain the cross-shaped channel when the self-watering planter interfaces with the supporting surface; and

peripheral supports disposed on the external portion of the bottom surface, wherein the peripheral supports and the centrally disposed support structure include feet to provide stability and extend a clearance distance with the supporting surface;

wherein the cross-shaped channel provides an opening for flood floor water to enter the interior cavity and be stored in the reservoir region;

wherein an opening is at an end of the cross-shaped channel and a cross section of the opening is larger than a cross section of the cross-shaped channel.

17 . The self-watering planter of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of conical drainage risers is arranged symmetrically around a center of the bottom surface.

18 . The self-watering planter of claim 16 , wherein the cross-shaped recess includes openings at ends of the cross-shaped channel that are larger than the cross-shaped channel to facilitate water flow.

19 . The self-watering planter of claim 16 , wherein the vertically disposed slits include a cross-sectional area selected to permit a drainage rate.

20 . The self-watering planter of claim 16 , wherein the permeable tray is removable from the interior cavity.