Heath Robinson watering system (for Tuppence)

LGTilley

In the spring I mentioned the "Heath Robinson watering system" that I set up for one week each summer when I go on holiday. You said you'd like to see a picture - I did not forget: Here it is http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk/heath.htm

It's just served for its third successful year. It's a Gardena kit, cost me about £30, so I guess it's good value for money now. The top shelf has my best bonsai, crammed together, with at least one little dripper going to each. The black pipe you can see going off to the right goes to the outdoor tap where the timer is connected. I have it on its lowest setting, 3 mins once every 24 hours. There are some more drippers on the middle shelf, and a sprayer right at the top to lightly shower the whole lot. The green tray has capilliary matting in it and drainage holes drilled in the side about 1/4" up. I didn't bother with a back up capilliary reservoir this year.

On the lowest shelf are my odd bits, mostly under other stuff so that they get watered by the run off. I set the thing up a week before I go, so I can test it, and watch it to make sure all plants are getting reached. This year it was overcast and cool, so overwatering was probably the worst danger. But all looked well on return.

The Gardena "system" itself, looks great fun, with a catalogue of all sorts of wonderful gizmos you can connect on. Rather tempting actually to have a permanent system - but I couldn't shove it all round the back of the shed like this, obviously. Probably a case though of "boys' toys" - kit that becomes so much fun intrinsically c.f. photography etc., that you can end up more as a collector of cool kit than as someone actually doing the hobby. There are water butt pumps that would be essential in order to have a permanent system fed by rain water... but they're pricey, and would need an electricity supply. Perhaps I'll stick with me trusty old can then...

Dick

That's an ingenius way of dealing with a problem most bonsai owners have....how do my trees get watered while I'm on holiday?

On this side of the pond, this system is called a "drip irrigation system." and the price is about the same on both sides. I have been tempted to purchase one (or two) of these for my trees also but have been able to get by with a few very responsible young people who are willing to make a few dollars for watering my trees daily. However, the day will be coming when I will not be so lucky and a drip irrigation system will be the way to go for me.

Thanks for the photos of your set up, LG.