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Post by Cherry on May 23, 2016 12:36:58 GMT
I’ve put the pots on the balcony now. I suppose there is the risk over overwatering with the drip feed. Do you know if anyone uses any calculations for how much water a plant should have? A drop of water is calculated to be 0.05mL, ie 20 drops for 1ml of water. So how much water should a small Heather plant receive across a day given that it is in direct sun in the morning (sometimes!) with an ambient of 8 – 15 deg C? Surely there are some people on your forum who would be able to answer a question like that!
This is in an email from my younger son in a 4th floor Aberdeen flat. I certainly can't answer this.
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Post by dianthus on May 23, 2016 13:16:41 GMT
I don't, either, Cherry.
My thoughts would be to ask the supplier of the equipment, or look on their website for guidance. |
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Post by roofgardener on May 26, 2016 14:32:52 GMT
Ummm..... it's a tricky one, because it would depend on evaporation, and possibly also the total mass of soil in the pot ?
If the pot has drainage holes (and a saucer, or an outer container), then presumably the flow rate would have to be manually adjusted to ensure that the saucer is JUST damp (e.g. not dry, but not flooding either), indicating that the soil is sufficiently damp that it is JUST leaking a tiny surplus into the saucer at any given moment in time. (but at a rate that it almost immediately evaporates, and doesn't accumulate).
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Post by Lou78W on May 27, 2016 7:09:17 GMT
Good point roofgardener.. Also to take into consideration is the watering requirements of different plants. Perhaps your Son would be better using the tried and tested method of sticking a finger in the compost to see if the plant is thirsty. Of course if he is away a lot ? that might not be easy, in which case standing the pots over damp gravel might help, or use a capillary mat.... |
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Post by SueA on May 27, 2016 7:59:18 GMT
I've no idea how you would calculate how much water would be needed but I keep seeing ads. for those drip feed water bags & wondering if they would be a good idea for the tomatoes in the greenhouse for brief spells when we're away, may try one this or next summer.
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Post by roofgardener on May 27, 2016 15:03:24 GMT
I've tried various improvised versions of this idea SueA, starting with an upside-down 2ltr fizzy drinks bottle with a hole drilled in the lid. I may look into the "official" drip-feeders and capillary mats this summer. |
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