Automatic Watering Alternative

[sorce]

From a wax that melts at a certain temp to release water from a container onto plants, to a wind activated valve, I've been pondering low tech automatic watering for a while, as I can not run a line from my sink out my window to the trees, with thermometers and electronics. (Precursor of a thread titled Apartment Bonsai)

Hot and Windy days dry things out faster. So why not use those very elements to solve the problems they cause?

Mine has to fit on a windowsill.

The latest thought.

A 8oz water bottled. Frozen overnight or not, with holes on the bottom small enough to hold water (surface tension), until the heat builds pressure inside to effectively push water out.

I'm trying to water at about noon-2PM. Though anywhere after about 9AM would work. I think with the right calculations I can get this done.

The hotter it gets the more it waters.

Or.....same bottle, ice, with a large hole about half way up, so by the time the ice melts enough to reach the hole and water, it is 12-2PM.

Even Distribution?

With a switch to colanderish planters this year, I have a growing concern of drying out, like I would if I was an old pro! Of course this can't go on completely jokeless!

TIME TO BRAINSTORM.

TYPE IT IF YOU THINK IT!

Thanks!

Sorce

 

[Cypress187]

I am going to install a drip system (plastic bag with a tube and a dripper per bonsai), but it doesn't take in account that it might have rained / or very dry and also i have to fill the bag (10 liters) once in a while.

As a technical person i'm / was interested in free energy, and I also looked up some systems and theory's for automatic stuff. But i think this surface tension (or capillary action), is not strong enough. Also you could look into a rampump (free pumping construction, but spills some water each time), but i think it's hard to make on small scale because it uses the inertia of flowing water (small amount of water doesn't give much inertia.) If i have more idea's i'll post them.

 

[DougB]

Or you could use the old fashion 'wick watering' . Water container with cotton wick going up into the bonsai soil. Could even be free -- no cost at all if using reclaimed container and wick (piece of old rope?).

 

[nairb]

I've experimented with 2 litre plastic bottles with holes punched in the bottom with a needle, but to no avail; with a needle, the holes are too small and no water goes through.
When I made the holes bigger, the water just flows out.
I also tried putting a bottle with the top down in the ground (removing the cap) I did notice that if you insert it an angle (roughly 45 degrees) I could sometime get a slow release of water but it was very hit and miss and not reliable. I gave up on that.

I eventually bought a drip irrigation system that has a battery operated valve that connects to a faucet/tap. I guess if you don't have access to a faucet/tap you can hook up a tank of water to the battery operated valve and that would do the trick.

 

[skrit]

As a mechanical engineer, I'm not certain that I'd pursue a thermal expansion based solution for your watering needs. Specifically, thermal expansion of water does cause increased volume, but only a small fraction of the original volume. In addition, water also has an inverted expansion coefficient at low temperatures, expanding as it gets colder and contracting as it warms up again. Ignoring that factor, let's assume the water starts at around 4 degrees C. For temperatures between 4C and 30C, we're talking about less than 1% expansion by volume. For reference, the expected volume change from 20°C to 90°C is approximately 3.4% (it should be noted that water's expansion coefficient changes based on temperature, increasing as it gets warmer).

I do think that some of the other suggested solutions have something to offer though, and I concur that it seems likely that an elevated volume of water (tank/bag/bucket) with a release valve of some sort is very likely your best option, but there may be others.

My best suggestion after thinking about it for a bit is probably just a bucket, a submersible aquarium pump, appropriate tubing, and a simple outlet timer with 10 or 15 minute increments. Both the 15 minute increment timers and aquarium pumps can be found quite cheaply (<$10 each) on amazon. Just watch your 'lift height' on the pump. It needs to be able to get it out of the bucket, but can go downhill from there. The only downside is that it's not controlled directly by the weather, but is instead pre-set. I can think of a few non-simple methods for activating based on weather (a moisture sensor in a 'control pot' and a relay to power the pump is my first though). Of course, you could just check the weather forecast for the day and set the timing appropriately; perhaps one watering on normal days and two waterings separated by a few hours on hot, dry, windy days.

 

[BrianBay9]

These things are simple and work great. Only deliver as much water as the tree is pulling from the soil.

http://www.gardenersedge.com/Plant-...creative_id}&gclid=CKyr_oOa-cMCFZKGaQodImQA-g

No need to reinvent the wheel.

Brian

 

[Smoke]

If you know someone that works in a hospital have them get you some empty IV bags. They have a clip with a wheel that adjusts the drip rate. Hook a couple bags in parallel with the drip rate set and it may last all day. Could probably buy them at a medical supply too, along with cases of sterile water just to get the bags which you could refill. Could mix fertilizer for the bags and really kill many birds with one bag!

 

[JoeR]

I've used a clear container and lid where when the water evaporates due to extra Sun and heat, it collects and goes through a tube into the bonsai soil. Looks kinda odd though it does work nicely for smaller plants.

 

[sorce]

Thanks.

I do want to dry out completely, then rewater!

Love the ideas!


Sorce

 

[klosi]

I agree with skrit. I would use a pump and an appropriate hose, which goes from one tree to another and on the other end into an empty bucket. Each tree gets a hole in the hose. The aquarium pump is in the big water bucket and is set on timer. It goes on for few minutes then off. I think this is reather cheap system. Just make holes small so that you don't make a flood under your window.
Also in your apartment you put, at the entrance, the watering schedule so the neighbours can take an umbrella when living apartment and your timer switches on.