New Grower Automatic watering systems.
- Thread starter steelrat
- Start date
I just tend to leave mine really wet before I go, which might do my system for up to 5 days, but by lowering the temperature and reducing the photoperiod I might manage twice that. It's not ideal, but it's fairly low hassle.
I've used self watering pots, and autopots for house plants and tomatoes, but you need to commit from the start for those kinds of systems.
I've used self watering pots, and autopots for house plants and tomatoes, but you need to commit from the start for those kinds of systems.
Steely mate I think Waxi got a nice little thread about that here.
Never tried the spikes.
I ve made one for when I managed to get away in July, feeding 2 plants 1L a day for a couple weeks. You really don't need much... a rez, a fountain pump, some T and Y connectors and some tubing, and a 1min increase programmable plug. Easy to assemble, and easy to program..
Never tried the spikes.
I ve made one for when I managed to get away in July, feeding 2 plants 1L a day for a couple weeks. You really don't need much... a rez, a fountain pump, some T and Y connectors and some tubing, and a 1min increase programmable plug. Easy to assemble, and easy to program..
I have a variety of experiences with different automatic watering systems but for different botanical applications. For limited cost and short absences watering spikes are fine (both the ceramic spike and plastic bottle fitted type), the main problem is knowing how much water you require vs. what this system will deliver per day (remember a plant in full veg/early bloom is thirsty). Another consideration is how many plants and how much space you are growing in for how many spikes are required. I've also used timed gravity fed reservoir system to drip emitters for small gardens and slightly longer absences to fully timed pressurized drip/sprinkler/sprayer/mister systems that can run for the whole summer with minor adjustments for rain/temps. Always a consideration is how badly can it go wrong, dry dead plants vs. indoor flood/fire/police. My worst experience was 1.5" water in an 8x8' room contained by 6 mil plastic and 2x4s, also seeping into the carpet and travelling down a hallway towards the front entrance before res finally went dry. Best experience almost 3 weeks vacation tropical greenhouse, raised beds, hanging baskets, lawns lushly overgrown during +30 C weather with a lax inexperienced housesitter. A good catalog for options in Canada is Lee Valley but shop around for best prices when you find what you want.
