Automatic watering methods?

[ace2weather]

I'm planning on having a 2m wide by 3 shelf stand made up and looking at some form of automatic watering.
I find watering with a watering can tends to wash the top soil away, so what are peoples thoughts on drippers??
I was thinking a simple irrigation controller running of a rain water tank with a individual dripper per tree..

[Ryceman3]

Check this thread out.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=20350&hilit=Open+sprinkler#p206975

Might not be so suited given the size of your benches but worth a read, it's a very cool system from all accounts. I'm looking to re-model my benches in the not too distant future and reckon I'll be going with this when I do.

[kcpoole]

Use sprayers and regulate the flow if needed.
Drippers only water part of the pot

Ken

[ace2weather]

Check this thread out.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=20350&hilit=Open+sprinkler#p206975
Might not be so suited given the size of your benches but worth a read, it's a very cool system from all accounts. I'm looking to re-model my benches in the not too distant future and reckon I'll be going with this when I do.

That looks interesting. But what do you mean by

Might not be so suited given the size of your benches

This is what I'm looking at getting built...
By the look of it, micro sprayers are better suited than drippers and my plan was to run 13mm poly pipe on the back of all 3 shelves with individual lines per tree.
Open sprinkler would make sense and since I have my own online weather station and I've already built a custom fertiliser injector dripper system for my veggie garden, so I shouldn't have an issue with doing a open sprinkler..

[kcpoole]

on my benches I have a line along the front with sprayers pointing up ever 500mm or so, and another line along the fence line above with more sprayers pointing down. The effect id the entire bench get covered in a mist spray for 7 minutes each morning.

My trees on monkey poles each have 2 sprayers after a inline tap to just provide a light drizzle on the pot surface. Also for 7 minutes each morning

Ken

[rodm]

Hi guys
If you have time to water your plant with wand or hand held hose,auto systems ,to me, are an expense that maybe one could do with out This all depends on the size of your collection. For me, by hand watering gives me a chance to have a look at the trees to see watches going on and opertunity to fix any problems. Also it helps to de-stress myself and appreciate my collection. These are just my thoughts. My collection has about 30-40 all at various stages and agesof development
Cheers RodM

[Rory]

Use sprayers and regulate the flow if needed.
Drippers only water part of the pot

Ken

This post is GOLD.

Its pretty much the way to go. As also mentioned, watering separately by hand if you have the time is the best method, as it helps to keep an eye on the tree and soil before the next water. Otherwise refer back to this simple tip from Ken, which I do too if I am absent for a period of time.

[ace2weather]

I have issues lifting a watering can around and normally I prefer to water at the root zone and not the leaves (experiences with veggies).
The other bonus of using sprayer/dripper is, it's easy to add a fertliser injector to fertilise at the same time as watering...

[HARRYS]

This is a great idea, i may have to do the same.
Maybe not to water them but just to give a light mist over the plants, some good fittings so the hose doesn't blow off and a timer for early morning and late arvo, may be able to grow some more moss then:)
thanks guys

[bonsai_beginner]

I recently rigged up my own sprinkler system, experimenting with both 90 and 180 degree spray heads and one or two spike rotating sprinkler heads. Still playing around with it but it seems to be working very well so far


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[HARRYS]

Sounds good bonsai beginner
keep us posted on how you went with the spray pattern and nozzles:)

[Ryceman3]

Check this thread out.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=20350&hilit=Open+sprinkler#p206975
Might not be so suited given the size of your benches but worth a read, it's a very cool system from all accounts. I'm looking to re-model my benches in the not too distant future and reckon I'll be going with this when I do.

That looks interesting. But what do you mean by

Might not be so suited given the size of your benches

Hi ace2weather,
I just meant that this system might be more suited to a larger set up and like others mentioned, perhaps hand watering might be a cheaper alternative and just as effective. I see you also mentioned though you have trouble with hand watering so in that case, go for it!
I like the pic you put up of your proposed bench, is that from another thread?
Good luck with it.

[bonsai_beginner]

Sounds good bonsai beginner
keep us posted on how you went with the spray pattern and nozzles:)

Still experimenting, got a few new ones on the way, I'll keep you all posted


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ace2weather]

Hi ace2weather,
I just meant that this system might be more suited to a larger set up and like others mentioned, perhaps hand watering might be a cheaper alternative and just as effective. I see you also mentioned though you have trouble with hand watering so in that case, go for it!
I like the pic you put up of your proposed bench, is that from another thread?
Good luck with it.

There is a few websites with this bench
http://mikobonsai-articles.blogspot.com ... 1.html?m=1
My friend that's a cabinet maker is making a few changes. The front legs will brought right out to the front edge and wood used will be slightly smaller and won't be using decking wood on top, but pine painted...