Potted plants generally need to be watered more frequently than similar plants in the bed. This is because there is only limited space in the pot and the roots cannot absorb moisture deep in the soil.
What irrigation systems are there for potted plants?
There are various irrigation systems for potted plants, including flower boxes or pots with water storage, drip irrigation, fully automatic systems, string irrigation, self-made water storage and irrigation using PET bottles. The choice depends on local conditions, budget and duration of irrigation.
Are there different irrigation systems for potted plants
There are definitely different ways to water potted plants. A distinction must be made between systems that are connected to the water pipe or a tap and those that work with a water reservoir.
The prices for the different systems vary considerably, because some are fully automatic, others are easy to make yourself. Which system is right for you depends on local conditions, your budget and the duration of irrigation.
Various irrigation systems for balcony and potted plants:
- Flower boxes or pots with water storage
- Drip irrigation with piped water
- fully automatic irrigation system
- String irrigation (homemade)
- self-built water storage tank
- Irrigation using PET bottle(s)
Buy irrigation systems
You can get purchase systems for watering balcony and potted plants for just a few euros from specialist retailers (€20.00 at Amazon). These are planters with built-in water storage. Depending on the quality and features, you can pay many times more for it.
Drip irrigation systems don't necessarily have to be expensive. Depending on the variant, they are connected to a water container or directly to the tap on your pipe and work with a hose. This way, several plants are watered at the same time. Fully automatic irrigation systems are associated with the highest costs. It's hardly worth installing just for your annual vacation, but it can also save you watering all year round.
Build your own irrigation system
Homemade irrigation systems can be extremely inexpensive, like watering with a bottle. Other variants are a little more complex. These include thread irrigation or the self-built water reservoir.
Most methods are more suitable for a weekend trip or short vacation. This means that plants are less able to survive a longer journey. However, you can also reduce the water requirement somewhat by placing your potted plants in a shady place.
(Almost) free – watering with (waste) bottle
The cheapest option for irrigation is probably an old PET bottle. You choose the size according to the water needs of your potted plants or the duration of your vacation. Simply drill a small hole in the lid of the bottle, fill the bottle with water.
Place the tightly closed bottle with the lid down in the soil close to the plant to be watered. The size of the hole in the lid determines how much water is released. Make sure that the bottle cannot tip over while you are away, otherwise your plant will die of thirst and that would be a shame.
Tip
Before your vacation, be sure to test whether the amount of water your system delivers is suitable for your plants. You may need to “readjust” something.
