Watering system

[MACH5]

Hello BNuts! I am currently trying to get/build a watering system. I have several areas and benches that need water. I prefer to do it by hand but is becoming increasingly difficult to make sure my trees get watered during the day.

What are some of the better options out there? I would like to do this myself and as economically as possible. Please do share if you have pics.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Paradox]

Over the winter, I bought something like a drip irrigation kit and a battery powered timer from Amazon that Im going to set up this year. I only have one long bench right now so I can just run a main hose to it and run the feeders from that. I think if I leave off the drip attachment on the end of each feeder, it will flow enough to allow water to get into the pot for whatever time I think will be needed for enough water. Ive seen this done at one nursery at least. This seemed like the least expensive way to go other than setting up a sprinker.

http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-91213-O...id=1365993659&sr=1-7&keywords=watering+system
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Bird-Pat...UTF8&qid=1365993937&sr=8-2&keywords=Rain+Bird

 

[Poink88]

I would think that the drip irrigation system is better suited for plants in ground and on deep pots...not so much for shallow pots since the water is delivered on a single point. Maybe a perforated hose collar around the trunk will work better (with the timer as well)?

No real experience, just my thoughts.

 

[milehigh_7]

I have an over head system but that is as much to cool as water... It might not be a good thing in an area with high humidity as it is kind of asking for a fungus problem. Not a problem for me with single digit humidity.

If I ever do a big watering system it will be perforated hose.

 

[crust]

Some time ago I did a search on this subject and made some judgments based on what I found. I have never set up a system though.
Here is what I came up with:

• random observations
  several major manufacturers make systems for these things
  use of micro spray or mist heads seems to have advantages over drip systems
  placement of spray head /drip emmiters is important
  drip systems have drip coils which seem to work more evenly
  drip systems can be spotty and tend to not flush soil--micro sprayers and others less so
  water quality is more of a issue
  hard water deposits can be a problem
  use a good timer
  good timers are expensive
  some have success with simple battery timers
  change batteries on a schedule
  maintain filters or you will have problems
  avoid using goof plugs or too many push in connections
  add small clamps to connections
  some people use large high pressure over head sprinkler systems successfully
  some people use large overhead mist systems to cool and to avoid over drying successfully
  most people like there systems
  review of system operation is important (heads clog. pipes uncouple)
  vacationers still have collection checked but checker does not have to water

 

[JudyB]

I have an overhead sprinkler system on an automatic timer for when I can't do mine by hand, and for when we are on vacation. I use the first kind on the link page.

http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/garden.shtml

I have more than one zone, so I can water some more than others, but it means more than one timer, or dual timers. I use Claber timers. If you want more info, let me know. I like my system, I'm sure that I'd never be able to live without it now.

 

[jk_lewis]

I have a Dripworks spray irrigation system for my tables. At this time of year I water once a day. In mid summer I water twice a day. In winter 3 times a week unless it rains -- some sometimes it doesn't go on for weeks. It covers three tables.

I have a simple battery operated timer. I change batteries once a year with fresh batteries. Have not had a failure from the batteries, but we're on a well, and have had the pump go out, causing problems.

 

[mcpesq817]

I have a Dripworks spray irrigation system for my tables. At this time of year I water once a day. In mid summer I water twice a day. In winter 3 times a week unless it rains -- some sometimes it doesn't go on for weeks. It covers three tables.

I have a simple battery operated timer. I change batteries once a year with fresh batteries. Have not had a failure from the batteries, but we're on a well, and have had the pump go out, causing problems.

I use Dripworks spray emitters too when I go out of town. They've worked very well over the last few years. They put out a lot more water than you would think.

 

[berobinson82]

Would you two be willing to share a bit more detail on the Dripworks systems you're using with success? The thought of going on vacation is terribly stressful. Last year, my hired help decided that a few sprinkles were sufficient watering and killed off some shohin trees.

 

[al345900]

Misting system

I am also using a Dripworks.com misting system.

My tables are 4 x 8 feet long and I use 4 misters, two for each side.

I will elaborate more tonight.

Jorge

 

[Zach Smith]

Would you two be willing to share a bit more detail on the Dripworks systems you're using with success? The thought of going on vacation is terribly stressful. Last year, my hired help decided that a few sprinkles were sufficient watering and killed off some shohin trees.

Yes, when you tell an untrained person to "water," it is usually assumed that spraying the tree (any tree) once overhead for maybe a second is sufficient to actually water the soil; or that seeing the soil surface get wet is sufficient. Anyone being asked to actually water bonsai must be trained how to do it before you leave home. Dead trees otherwise.

Zach

 

[Poink88]

Yes, when you tell an untrained person to "water," it is usually assumed that spraying the tree (any tree) once overhead for maybe a second is sufficient to actually water the soil; or that seeing the soil surface get wet is sufficient. Anyone being asked to actually water bonsai must be trained how to do it before you leave home. Dead trees otherwise.

Zach

Excellent advise Zach. Thanks!

I need to start training my older daughter now just in case. My son, I cannot trust him to care for anything alive, even cactus. LOL

 

[JudyB]

I was actually re-installing my heads today, and ordered another set (making another zone), and saw this handy diagram on the site I get mine from. I actually use the sprinkler heads instead of the misters. They put a lot of water down, spread well, and the wind factor isn't as bad as it would be with misters. Here is a link to that. I do the whole pvc route, and just remove the heads in the winter.
http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/mist-byo.shtml#cover

 

[mcpesq817]

Would you two be willing to share a bit more detail on the Dripworks systems you're using with success? The thought of going on vacation is terribly stressful. Last year, my hired help decided that a few sprinkles were sufficient watering and killed off some shohin trees.

I think what I am using are spray emitters - they look a little different now than what I am using (probably upgraded from the ones I bought 5 years ago):

http://www.dripworks.com/category/pressure-compensating-emitters

Since my system is temporary and meant to be assembled and disassembled quickly, it's not the most attractive but it has been very effective. I run the tubing lines over my benches using shepherd's hooks on either side of my benches like these:

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-G...&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&searchNav=true

Hopefully this is not too complicated, but here's how it runs: Starting from the faucet, I attach an automatic timer. Into the timer goes the filter tube (I forget what Dripworks calls it), and then the line is run to my benches. It runs along the ground to my first bench, into an elbow joint that is attached to the bottom of the hook, up the hook, into another elbow joint that is attached at the top of the hook, and then runs across the bench to the other side, where it goes down a shepherd's hook and across the yard to other benches.

To make things easier for myself, to each hook I attach both elbows and the line between the elbows. So, all I need to do is push the hooks into the ground, and then run the lines between the faucet and the first bench, and then over and between the various benches. I have everything set up or taken down in less than 30 minutes.

Hope that helps.

 

[jk_lewis]

Mine is much the same except that the system is permanent. The main lines go from the faucet, through the timer, then along the ground under the tables. The 1/8 inch tubes are inserted and pulled up through holed drilled in the tables and the emitters are attached to the ends.

I think I have about 15 feet of main line going off in 3 directions, and 5 emitters up through the tables. The entire area is roughly 25 by 12 feet, and it is all covered by the spray. (I've buried a similar system down where my blueberry bushes and fruit trees grow. It's a bit larger -- 40 feet of main line and 30 emitters. It is NOT on a timer.)

These systems are very easy to put together. I doubt that both together cost more than $100 - $125. Alone, the bonsai system probably cost $75 total.

 

[crust]

I was actually re-installing my heads today, and ordered another set (making another zone), and saw this handy diagram on the site I get mine from. I actually use the sprinkler heads instead of the misters. They put a lot of water down, spread well, and the wind factor isn't as bad as it would be with misters. Here is a link to that. I do the whole pvc route, and just remove the heads in the winter.
http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/mist-byo.shtml#cover

Dear Miss Judy Sprinkles,
So, how did you configure this? Do you have the sprinklers on vertical stand pipes. How high are they and how are they distributed? How long do you let them sprinkle?

 

[JudyB]

That's going to be my new porn star name for sure. Esp. after today, when it was a really bad day to cut grass as my mower caught on fire. Nothing burns like a deere! I'll post a photo in the tea house if anyone wants to see how melty they get.

Anyhoo, the system is attached to the structure that I use as my wind house. I also am building a simple slatted version of this without walls of any kind over the freestanding bench areas this year, and will do the same system there as well.

Pvc and threaded sprinkler heads. I use the version that is only half round spray, so two at the back, two in the middle pointed towards the sides, and two in the front pointed back. Easy peasy. Sorry it's too sunny for good photo of it, I'll try again if anyone needs.

 

[mcpesq817]

Nice set up and trees Judy!

 

[MACH5]

Thanks for all the responses guys! This is all very helpful! Glad to see many of you have the drip works system since I am also considering this as well. Seems to be economical and effective at the same time. I am thinking of using the sprayers as well.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to depend on my poor wife to water all my trees. Unfortunately she is not a bonsai person so for her this is more of a burden. So I need to be looking into an effective solution at some point.

BTW Judy really liking your set up. Very nice indeed!

 

[Paradox]

I would think that the drip irrigation system is better suited for plants in ground and on deep pots...not so much for shallow pots since the water is delivered on a single point. Maybe a perforated hose collar around the trunk will work better (with the timer as well)?

No real experience, just my thoughts.

Im not planning on using as a drip system per se. I am using it on a timer with open ended feeders to deliver a flow of water to each pot for a period of time rather than a constant drip which would not be ideal. I understand your point with larger grain sized soil normally used in pots (ie Adakama), a single point might be problematic. For my set up this should work out fine.

Ive seen the same kind of system used at a bonsai nursery and it seemed to work fine for them. I was reluctant to go with any kind of sprinkler or misting system because Ive been told that wetting down the foliage on a daily basis can be a problem for some trees. Also a spray system is more wasteful of water. Since we are on the county water system and we pay for water, Id like to conserve as much as possible.