Hosing down the snake plant family – review of Hozelock Pico Reel – House Plant Journal

Hosing down the snake plant family – review of Hozelock Pico Reel

I get excited each spring because when the weather is finally warm enough, I like to give my prized snake plants a good outdoor showering.  This year, I had the privilege of working with Lee Valley to review their Hozelock Pico Reel – a compact sprayer, perfect for small spaces.

Disclaimer: this was a paid partnership with Lee Valley to review the Hozelock Pico Reel product.

Bringing the whole family outside:

The task of carrying a dozen or so potted plants down a flight of stairs is more convenient with some low-walled plastic tubs - the kind used for cleaning.
The task of carrying a dozen or so potted plants down a flight of stairs is more convenient with some low-walled plastic tubs – the kind used for cleaning.
Holding the Pico Reel in hand, the build quality feels solid.  Components snap together and fit nicely.
Holding the Pico Reel in hand, the build quality feels solid.  Components snap together and fit nicely.

I was wondering about the rationale for the name “Hozelock”: it’s their proprietary locking mechanism that allows for a quick-release of the hose from the faucet or the sprayer.

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This is how happy snake plants like to be watered: a thorough soaking followed by an hour or so of sitting where they can see as much of the sky as possible - this is the ultimate "bright indirect light".  I’m using the ‘Gentle Shower’ sprayer setting – there are a total of 5 settings.
This is how happy snake plants like to be watered: a thorough soaking followed by an hour or so of sitting where they can see as much of the sky as possible – this is the ultimate “bright indirect light”.  I’m using the ‘Gentle Shower’ sprayer setting – there are a total of 5 settings.

What’s with the different colored hoses?

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The yellow hose is 6-1/2' long and coils around a spool while the longer grey hose (26' long) wraps on the reel on the opposite side.  This gives you flexibility in using the hose: carry the reel with you or leave it as you walk to your plants.
The yellow hose is 6-1/2′ long and coils around a spool while the longer grey hose (26′ long) wraps on the reel on the opposite side.  This gives you flexibility in using the hose: carry the reel with you or leave it as you walk to your plants.
To give you a sense of 'compactness', here's the Hozelock Pico Reel next to a pair of snake plants in 6" pots.
To give you a sense of ‘compactness’, here’s the Hozelock Pico Reel next to a pair of snake plants in 6″ pots.
After an hour or so, I load the kids into their tubs and bring them back to their containers. I always try to plant into nursery pots (have drainage holes) and place those into cachepots (containers without drainage holes). With this potting strategy, it's easy to ensure even soil moisture while keeping interior shelves/surfaces clean and dry.
After an hour or so, I load the kids into their tubs and bring them back to their containers. I always try to plant into nursery pots (have drainage holes) and place those into cachepots (containers without drainage holes). With this potting strategy, it’s easy to ensure even soil moisture while keeping interior shelves/surfaces clean and dry.

Link to Hozelock Pico Reel from Lee Valley

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post on showering my snake plants with the Hozelock Pico Reel available at Lee Valley. I have been a loyal customer for many years so I’m happy that I can work with them in this capacity!

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