Types of Watering Systems: Irrigation Systems for Bedding Plants Topic #2155 Created by: Tracey Hoffman

Introduction Effects plant size Growth Timing Quality Growers must avoid excess water usage

Watering System Concerns Difficult to devise even watering system Difficult to provide correct amount of water to more than one plant type Withholding water slows growth and increases bench time Keep foliage dry

Watering Systems Hose irrigation Overhead irrigation Spray stake Boom irrigation Subirrigation

Hose Irrigation Most common method used in smaller operations (10,000 sq. ft.) Minimal equipment required Labor intensive System can create over or under watering Time consuming

Overhead Irrigation H 2 O supplied above the plants Series of nozzles – covering a foot diameter Uniform application is difficult Foliage stays wet – increasing disease problems

Spray Stake Full circle flat spray nozzle –attached to the top of a stake Water is supplied by a spaghetti tube Economical Individual nozzles can be turned off Foliage stays wet

Boom Irrigation Moving overhead watering system –suspended on overhead rails Motorized rig is propelled back and forth Amount of water applied can vary System is costly and requires routine monitoring Foliage stays wet

Subirrigation Keeps leaves dry –minimize disease More uniform watering Cost effective to install in a new greenhouse Concrete the greenhouse floor area –Makes it waterproof –Concrete must be level to ensure proper water level (1 inch) and drainage Drained water is collected and reused

Subirrigation: How it works A valve opens when the water level in the reservoir goes down Water is pumped onto the green house floor Water is then drained back into the reservoir Cycle takes from 5-20 minutes to flood plants Pots require bottom holes for drainage

Factors determining irrigation frequency Water use of plant Container size Water holding capacity of media Never allow plants to run out of available water Different plant species have different water requirements

Automatic Watering Controls Watering methods can be automated Watering systems can be controlled by on/off time clock Water controller can be operated: –basic time clock –computer