Providing water to balcony and house plants during vacation is sometimes problematic. If you don't have any friends who could take care of you, you have to set up an irrigation system so that the plants don't dry out.
How does simple and ingenious flower pot watering work?
Simply ingenious flowerpot irrigation can be achieved through automatic systems such as drip irrigation or subsurface irrigation. These enable optimal and needs-based water supply for balcony boxes and houseplants, even during vacation.
Do-it-yourself irrigation options
With a little craftsmanship and some common household equipment, you can make makeshift irrigation systems yourself. For example:
- watering with a PET bottle
- watering with a bucket system
- Direct water-dispensing wicks into the ground
- the bathtub as a water reservoir
All of these options serve their purpose for some time. However, if you go on vacation more often or travel a lot on business, you should use the ingenious professional irrigation systems. Various manufacturers offer electronically controlled systems that, once set, take over the irrigation work fully automatically.
Automatic irrigation systems
A distinction is made here between above-ground and underground drip irrigation. The above-ground irrigation system can be connected directly to the tap. The evaporation losses are low.
Subterranean drip irrigation also works via the tap, but here the inflow pipes are laid underground. There are no evaporation losses. Automatic irrigation systems are beneficial for
- Large lawn irrigation with one sprinkler
- Perennial and vegetable beds also with irrigation
- Greenhouses with drip irrigation
- as holiday watering for plant pots and
- Balcony boxes and
- Houseplants
How an automatic irrigation system works
First, a pressure reducer including filter is connected to the tap. A hose now leads into the bed, onto the terrace, into the greenhouse, etc. and small branching hoses lead to the individual plants. The water sprays, drips and flows as soon as the tap is opened. Technical help is also available here. An irrigation computer (€41.00 at Amazon) can control the water flow if desired. If the moisture in the soil is also measured using a sensor, the water supply only opens if it is too dry. The plant only receives water when it actually needs it. The sophisticated technology even makes it possible to add liquid fertilizer using an additional device.
Such highly technical equipment is best installed by a specialist so that all processes can be precisely coordinated. As a user, you can easily control your irrigation system with a mobile phone app. Simply brilliant!
Automatic watering in the balcony box
A modern irrigation system can also be used for the balcony box. A perforated hose with a filter is connected to an external water storage tank (rain barrel) or (without filter) directly to the water pipe. By connecting a moisture sensor to the system, the water runs out of the hose drop by drop when the soil is dry.
Automatic watering of houseplants
There are also drip irrigation sets that provide houseplants with water during the holiday season. The drip system can be adjusted so that it only delivers limited amounts. The inflow control can also be carried out by an irrigation computer that is inserted into the system. Longer vacation absences can be bridged without any problems.
