Are there good Automated/Self Watering Systems for Soil/Promix?

[skinzilla]

I'm finding watering my plants is getting to be a pain in the ass. Is there a good/reliable self watering system for plants that will work? Do they come with or need a moisture meter to know when to kick on/off the water supply? I've searched a couple threads, but only found the Tropf Blumat, and was wondering if there's other/better systems out there. Thanks.

 

[pinecone]

blumat (auto watering without pumps) - https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=111046

 

[skinzilla]

Thanks Pinecone, the Blumat seems to get lots of rave reviews on other threads, so I think I'm gonna try it if I can find a Canadian Supplier. Do they sell them at any big chains like Home Depot, etc?

 

[pinecone]

Thanks Pinecone, the Blumat seems to get lots of rave reviews on other threads, so I think I'm gonna try it if I can find a Canadian Supplier. Do they sell them at any big chains like Home Depot, etc?

They don't sell them at big chains. There are two kinds of blumats - blumat junior and the tropf blumat. You want the tropf blumats. They are sort of hard to find, but are available from the below link

http://homeharvest.com/dripirrigationtropfblumat.htm

Pine

 

[supermanlives]

i believe their are actually 3 kinds junior regular and maxi

 

[areUkind]

at the end of the day, can better watering be achieved by a consistant watering hand???
for the past year all i have done is a hand-watering coco run and im wondering myself what the other options might be... anyone run a blumats vs hand watering cycle?

 

[WasntMe]

I use Blumats, see links above by others, now but previously also used sub-irrigation planters which also works very well.
http://www.insideurbangreen.org/diy-sub-irrigation

http://www.globalbuckets.org/


I have less indoor space now and no outdoor garden anymore so the Blumats are more convenient for my situation for now. But indoors or outdoors sub irrigation works well and is practically free to set up.

p.s. greners.com are now carrying blumats ... they just haven't put them up on the website yet, just email or call them.

 

[cirog]

Does anyone know what the smallest size containers they would work in?

 

[MMJcali]

I made a self watering system with a 2gal bucket, 30gph fountain pump from amazon, and 1minute interval dig timer. I ran a hose from pump/bucket to cab, poked a little hole wherever there is a pot, doubled the hose back around so it goes back into the bucket. then I stopped up the end of the hose about halfway so I can control the flow of water to fit my needs. The dig timer has a day of the week function, so when I go on vacation it waters every 2nd day and 5th day and 7th day of the week for 1 minute. I use organic soilless so I don't need to put ferts in the H20, just pure distilled water (dont know if putting ferts through the pump is a good idea). I'm planning on posting a tut as soon as work slows down for a minute. cost me around $30 total, im happy with it.