Automatic watering system

[Bonbon]

Planning to install an automatic watering system. Anyone has experience or hints? What type of system do you use? Got photo to share?

what type of Dripper? Trickler? Mini-spray? Ezy-drip? Overhead 360 degree sprinkler?
How do you stake your dripper/trickler in the pot? How many per pot?
Polytube? What brand?

I am sick of not able to go on holiday just because of watering? Getting a friend to help is the best, I know. I did that last year and lost 11 trees .

Thanks

Bonbon

[63pmp]

I've tried them in the past and never had much success. I found a combination of drippers and sprays were needed. Drippers tended to wet a small area only and eventually the water would just run right through the soil without spreading out. While sprays missed areas due to obstructions, eg trunk, or foliage. And then there is the sudden blockage of one spray or dripper. I found I still needed to check the watering, which negated the use of a watering system.

I now only use an irrigation system in summer to provide humidity and for cooling things off. I don't trust them on my trees.

Paul

[paddles]

drippers in and of themselves work for a short period of time (4 days max) I have an automated system, never used sort of thing, I tried to adapt it to use a combination of drippers and spray, and found it all too much trouble.

We rig it all up, 2-3 drippers per pot when we go away. better than nothing, but don't rely on it in a day to day basis.

[Jonden]

I have a dripper system that I use only in summer, I have only one in the smaller pots and 2 in larger, but I still hand water each pot at least once a week and under trees that tend to dry out faster, I put a shallow try so any water that runs through can be soaked up again. I found the secret of getting a more reliable flow was to change to 19mm poly tube, when I had 13mm some of the drippers stopped working, especially towards the end of the line. I use the blue drippers from Bunnings as I tested all and found these the most reliable. No more that 20 per line. I have battery powered autamatic timers, that come on in sequence for 10 minutes each morning ( this a bit too long but better to be sure than sorry). Since i have installed the 19mm tube I have also combined a few fine sprays for my minis.
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Jonden

[kcpoole]

I have used Automated watering system for about 3 years now, and hightly recommend it

I have used the selfcontained battery powered Timers and have had nothing but trouble with them leaking and then failing. I have tried all types and brands and after 4 different ones gave up withthem
I now use a Multil sector mains powered timer, that controls remote 12V solenoids on the tap. This can controll up to 8 sectors and water them individulaly. ( I only have 1 sector at the moment. but will expand to water my dispaly trees soon by either Spray of drip or probably both. The controller was about $60, and each solenoid is about $20.

I water all my Benches using Sprays only, and collect all runoff water for hand watering of single trees on display.
When I go on holidays, I move all my single trees to the benches and they get watered with all the rest by sprays but i allways get my mother in law to check to see the system comes on
The system comes on at 7 am daily, and waters for 5 minutes. in winter i drop back to 3 times / week.

I find this takes care of most of my watering needs, but will supplement on demand if needed by using Watering can or garden hose as needed. If i did not have it, then there is no way i could have the pplants I do as I work long hours and cannot be there to water everyday

Purchased all from bunnings and they have a good range of products.
Ken

[Bretts]

I set up a system of fine mist sprays last year and it worked fine. I only used it when going away on holidays and also had it checked by my mother in law
Takes a fair bit of trial and error to find sprayers that suit your setup but can be fun on a hot day
I am on my second battery operated timer and I think this one works great. It is a Holman tap timer like this
http://www.cityirrigation.co.uk/acatalo ... timer.html

[Bonbon]

I water all my Benches using Sprays only, and collect all runoff water for hand watering of single trees on display.
Ken

Hi Ken,

Do you spray the trees using overhead sprayer, mini spray heads using 4mm tubing to link to 19mm polytube?
I am thinking of it too. But worry about some trees got dense foliage and the soil won't get much water at all.
Also, how do you collect overflow water?

Thanks
Bon

[Bonbon]

I set up a system of fine mist sprays last year and it worked fine.

Hi Brett,

You got individual mini-spray head for each pot?
If so, how do you stake the spray head into the soil securely?

Thanks
Bon

[kcpoole]

I water all my Benches using Sprays only, and collect all runoff water for hand watering of single trees on display.
Ken

Hi Ken,

Do you spray the trees using overhead sprayer, mini spray heads using 4mm tubing to link to 19mm polytube?
I am thinking of it too. But worry about some trees got dense foliage and the soil won't get much water at all.
Also, how do you collect overflow water?

Thanks
Bon

Hi Bon

Yes I use the 4mm Mist sprayers, on 4 mm poly risers so that they are well above the foliage. I arrange them so that they overlap, and every tree gets wet with at least 2 prays. Dense foliage does not really matter as it is up like a solid water environment and the soil certainly get wet ender the canopies
My benches are made from old stramit steel roofing, and the slope slightly to one end. A the low end I have 1/2 round stormwater pipe to collect the runoff and pipe to my drums.
You can see the setup of the bench and the Watering system in the 3rd photo in this thread viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1404

Hey brett, the Holman timers was one of the ones that I gave up on. The Tap mechanism started to leak water into the electronic compartment and the batteries cot wet and corroded. 1st thing I knew about it was when it stopped working while I was on hols. Luckily the M.I.L. realised and hand watered fro me every 2 days and they survived ( it was not hot).
that was the last straw for the battery operated ones.

This is the same as what I have now but has Nylex written on it instead of holman
https://www.holmanindustries.com.au/prod ... ackage.JPG
One of these valves on the tap ( without flow control). The flow control ones let you adjust the flow thru the valve independent of the tap
https://www.holmanindustries.com.au/prod ... id%20Valve

If you had several Sectors off the one tap and manifold you would use the Flow adjustable valves

Ken

[kcpoole]

I set up a system of fine mist sprays last year and it worked fine.

Hi Brett,

You got individual mini-spray head for each pot?
If so, how do you stake the spray head into the soil securely?

Thanks
Bon

One way I have seen, is to wire the spray heads to a board or platform, and then pot the pot on it. the weight of the pot holds the board in place

[Bretts]

My system is over head by almost 1 meter and I have various spray heads fine mist works very well.


I will keep an eye on the tap timer KC. It is working fine so far but I don't use it extensively.