Automatic watering for Holiday

Tinyjames

Tinyjames

Yamadori
Messages
89
Reaction score
35
Location
Rugby, UK
USDA Zone
8
Morning All.

I'm a beginner in the world of bonsai and I would like some advice on a free-standing automatic watering option, I only have a small collection at the moment, five larch saplings and nine maple plus a small maple I’m buying next week so fifteen pots in total


In August UK I’m going away for a long weekend But in September I’m going away for two weeks, So I need some sort of watering from my water butt to my trees (I only want to water from rain water) So I thought I would buy a battery powered timer and a pump that would draw water from my water butt So I thought about buying this item (linked at the bottom of page) and was wonder if anyone had any experience or views on the product or could suggest a better option or product ?

Collection of trees as of today

20230701_120051.jpg

20230629_114949.jpg



Watering link



Thank you for your advice and time James
 
The link didn’t land on any specific product. It served up just an Amazon UK home page. I used a battery powered unit once…and was not that happy with it. I think I had an early version of auto-watering. Today there are more reliable units that I’m sure can get the job done.

Are you sure there’s no neighbor that will water the trees? I’ve used neighbor watering before by taking trees this size over to the neighbor's house so watering was easier. Trees the size you have are easily transported.
 
Tinyjames said:
@Tieball sorry I got a different link https://www.waterirrigation.co.uk/w...osure-10-pot-auto-drip-self-watering-kit.html
Click to expand...
That’s much better than what I had before for watering while away. It is fundamentally the same as what I had with the selection settings, but technology has changed a lot in twenty years. If you get this, or something similar, get it far enough in advance of your travel so you can test it out and know it works. Try different setting to simulate your time away. Resist the temptation to interfere with hand watering or setting manipulation while the device is in operation. You’re actually simulating your time away. Water your trees using the device as a test so you’re more sure to get the results you expect.
 
There’s a few threads on Bonsainut that I just saw. There’s likely others also. Check them out. You might find some additional thoughts on the watering challenge.
IMG_6497.jpeg
 
Recently went away for 10 days. Used a battery timer I bought on Amazon for $50 hooked up to a hose and sprinkler. I had it turn on at 6am and 6pm for 15 minutes each. Everything survived and was nice and healthy when I got back. I had a family member just check things every 2-3 days to make sure no pots tipped over or the system failed. Worst that happened was some animal pulled the moss off of every single pot.

That is probably overkill for the size of your collection though. Bringing them to a friend or a small drip system is probably more practical. Sprinkler probably will waste too much water.
 
I recently used this while away for two weeks, I hooked it to the sprinkler, and it did the job. Real easy to use and program. Although the HydroSure you linked to looks like a good option. Is it expandable in the likely event you need to water more than ten trees?

1688323282235.png
 
@Tieball I did read the post's you pointes out however they didn't cover drawing water from a water butt or container they all covered water from a tap or using a pond pump but thanks for the info I'm going to order the set up I linked too next weekend and give it a try
 
Michigan Tree Murderer said:
I recently used this while away for two weeks, I hooked it to the sprinkler, and it did the job. Real easy to use and program. Although the HydroSure you linked to looks like a good option. Is it expandable in the likely event you need to water more than ten trees?

View attachment 496871
Click to expand...
I use something like this just recently when I went traveling out of country.
The brand and product I got was the Hunter Single Zone timer. Plumbed up with an irrigation tube and used emitters. Worked flawlessly. All trees survived and did well.
 
Tinyjames said:
@Tieball I did read the post's you pointes out however they didn't cover drawing water from a water butt or container they all covered water from a tap or using a pond pump but thanks for the info I'm going to order the set up I linked too next weekend and give it a try
Click to expand...
Excellent. I did not research the other posts. I just noticed them below the screen when replying to you.
 
A plain Jane oscillating sprinkler with a timer is all you need. You can really dial in the precision, too, unlike rotating sprinklers.
 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

SubJeezy
What do you guys use for an automatic watering system?
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
Paradox
Paradox
J
Sharing my automatic watering system
Replies
5
Views
2K
waydeo
waydeo
Colorado Josh
Automatic watering systems
Replies
4
Views
2K
Peter@Bonsainut2020
P
VAFisher
Question for the folks with an automatic watering system
2
Replies
37
Views
4K
Yamamomiji
Yamamomiji
AZbonsai
Automatic Watering System Phase 1 Parts
Replies
16
Views
2K
AZbonsai
AZbonsai
Back
Top Bottom