Very often, decorative plants and even some edible ones are planted on a loggia or insulated balcony, on a veranda or just in a room. Near the flowers, dill, onion or even a tomato may well grow. However, with a large number of indoor plantings or frequent absences, it is not always possible to provide plants with timely watering, then various automatic systems help out a lot. When you are at home, an automatic watering device is convenient because once you fill it with water, you can forget about the need to moisten the soil in pots and trays for several days.
For the most part, it is organized for indoor crops, since it requires little water and constantly keeps the soil moist without flooding it. This option is especially convenient when you are going on vacation with the whole family and there will be no one to water the plants for several days. Before leaving, it is better to try the method several times under your control.
Ready-made automatic flower watering systems: pros and cons
To begin with, consider the simplest option: buying a ready-made automatic watering system. For the most part, automated systems are completed with a low-power pump with a filter, a bunch of long elastic tubes and drippers.. Sometimes a power supply with a timer is included in the set, which starts and turns off the pump at a strictly set time.
The main disadvantage is just an electrician. During a long absence of the owners, the electricity in the house can be turned off more than once, and if the refrigerator starts working again after supplying current to the sockets, it is not a fact that the watering system pump will follow suit. You can, of course, choose a kit without an electrical component, for example, actively advertised kits with porous ceramic droppers in the form of cones, where water flows by gravity. However, such devices have their own "minus" - they are very easily clogged and stop supplying water to the ground. The same can be said about ceramic cones with membranes at the base, which work as moisture indicators.
Let's talk about the latter in more detail, since they are also sold separately from the kits, which implies use in home-made systems. So, in the wide part of the ceramic porous cone there is a plastic nozzle, inside of which there is a flexible membrane. A thin hose is connected to it, connecting the device with closely fixed droppers. The moisture present in the soil through the pores presses on the membrane, pressing the inlet of the hose. As soon as the soil dries, the pores are freed from water, the membrane opens the hole and irrigation begins through droppers stuck near the plants. But the capillaries of the cone are easily clogged, and one day the indicator may simply stop working.
The simplest devices for automatic watering indoor flowers
There are relatively few autonomous devices for drip irrigation of domestic plants. We will name two options: glass spherical flasks with long narrow necks (aqua globes) and double flower pots. The first type, after filling with water, turns over and sticks a dropper into the pot. While the soil is saturated with moisture, the vessel remains filled, but as soon as the earth dries up, the oxygen formed in it is immediately replaced by water from the flask. A variation of this device is soft plastic "syringes" that work on the same principle.
The second option consists of a conventional pot with drainage holes in the bottom, through which special microfiber wicks or other fibers are passed that do not rot when exposed to moisture. The kit also includes a slightly larger, but similar in shape, water container, in which a pot is placed with soil poured into it and planted flowers. Through the filters, the moisture that has soaked them rises into the soil, saturating it in the immediate vicinity of the roots. The outer tank has a transparent window in one of the walls, allowing you to see the water level.
We make a do-it-yourself automatic watering system for indoor plants
The simplest home plant available to everyone is an autonomous system of conventional medical droppers. They need to be bought one for each pot, and if the flowers grow in long trays, then one per plant. Next, we take a large plastic container from under the water for 5 liters and make 2 holes in its neck, through which we pass strong twine for hanging on the wall. If possible, you can simply put the bottle on a dais. Next, we cut another hole in the upper part of the container and lower the tubes of several systems into it with a bundle, and place the opposite ends in pots, removing the needles. Now it is enough to turn the wheel to adjust the droppers.
The other way is just as simple, but you will need a lot of high-sided trays for it. In each of them we place a flower pot with drainage holes in the bottom, and there should still be room for a plastic bottle. Next, we take eggplants of 1.5 liters each and cut 2 holes in the lower part of each, one near the very bottom, and the second one centimeter higher. We place the containers in the trays and fill them with water, which will immediately begin to pour out until the level outside reaches the top hole. This ensures that water always gets into the drainage holes of the pot and keeps the soil moist until the bottle is empty.
Any homemade system must be adjusted so that the water does not flood the plants, but only oozes slightly; with an excess of moisture, the roots of the flowers can rot.
And finally, you can quickly make a simple but less productive automatic capillary watering of indoor plants: irrigation with an external wick. To keep the ground around indoor flowers moist all the time, you just need to put a plastic bottle of water next to each pot and lower a twisted gauze strip or microfiber bundle into it. The other ends of such impromptu wicks are laid on the soil near the stems of plants, you can even drive them slightly into the ground by sticking a peg directly over the tourniquet.
Sometimes there come times when flower growers need to leave home for a while, but they are not able to do this, worrying that during their absence there will be no one to look after their green pets. Even if you have good neighbors or friends, this does not mean at all that you need to pester them with your requests to take care of indoor flowers when people have a lot of their own worries. The best solution in such a situation would be to create automatic watering of indoor plants, which will allow you not to worry that your favorite plants will die during your absence.
Ensuring the water regime
The simplest option, which will provide all the plants with moisture during your extended absence, is to place a container of flowers in a container of water. In this case, you can be sure that your plants for at least a week, and at best two, will be provided with the necessary amount of drinking water. This method will appeal to those owners who do not like to spend extra money to create additional comfort for their indoor flowers.
However, it is still recommended to use an automatic plant watering system, since it is able to maintain optimal soil moisture for a longer time period for any flower, no matter how capricious it may be.
Preparing plants for the absence of a grower
Any grower, no matter how experienced he may be, knows that after a good watering of a houseplant, he has enough moisture for about a couple of weeks. Therefore, when planning a departure, it is advisable to carry out certain preparatory activities for your pets:
Automatic watering has one very important advantage - the roots of ornamental culture are regularly supplied with moisture in the required quantity. If you decide to create the home-made greenhouse described above, then know that you can further increase its effectiveness by installing your own water source in it, thanks to which indoor flowers will receive life-giving moisture for several weeks.
Of course, the organization of such a system has its own unique features. With all this, there is an easier option to implement. To do this, you will need to get a few plastic bottles, and then make several small holes in the lids. Then the containers are filled with well-settled water and placed upside down between the flower pots so that the water gradually drips onto the drip tray with a drainage layer.
Moisture will flow throughout the day in small drops to the bottoms of the pots, maintaining the optimal humidity of the expanded clay and the entire pallet with flowerpots. At the same time, it is necessary to correctly calculate the diameter of the holes created so that the water always comes in the right amount, does not stagnate in the bottle, or vice versa - it pours out too quickly. The optimal diameter can only be determined experimentally. After that, you just have to calculate how much bottle you need to install so that there is enough life-giving moisture for the entire period of your departure. Perhaps this is the most important thing to do when organizing automatic watering so that your flowers do not need moisture in any way.
When calculating the volume of the bottle, proceed from the size of the earthen clod in flower pots. For example, if you grow a lot of ficuses in large pots, then you will need to place several large volumes of water bottles between them. If your mini-greenhouse consists of delicate violets in tiny pots, then they will not require a lot of life-giving liquid. Sometimes it will be enough to arrange one liter bottle for a whole week, and sometimes even three “half-tars” will not be enough.
Industrial devices
If you have good financial resources, then the problem of providing water to your indoor plants can be solved by purchasing and installing an automatic industrial watering system.
Other Methods
Among other methods that are often used for automatic watering of indoor plants, one can single out a method where flowers are attached using improvised wicks to water containers. Woolen threads, ropes or cords can be used as such wicks. You can even use ordinary medical bandages, twisting them well to give them the appearance of a cord.
As soon as the wicks are ready, it is necessary to immerse one such end in a basin or other container of water, and attach the other to a flower pot, fixing it in the soil mixture with a clothespin or peg. This design works on the principle of capillary pressure difference, due to which water will be directed through the wicks from the container to the pot, moistening the substrate in such an unusual way. The automatic watering system, which is based on the use of wicks, will provide the plants with the necessary amount of moisture with the help of minimal costs.
Automatic watering safety
To ensure that your pets are well during your extended absence, we recommend check in work the automatic watering system that you purchased at the store or created with your own hands. To do this, make sure that sufficient moisture is supplied to the pots through the homemade wick, and that there is a sufficient supply of life-giving liquid in the basin.
It often happens that after just a day, there is no water left in the container, and at this time you are already in another place. This situation is very dangerous for most indoor flowers, as they can simply dry out and die by the time you return. Therefore, it is recommended that you first of all check in practice whether you have enough bottles of liquids and whether a basin for water is selected in a suitable size so that the flowers do not experience a moisture deficit during your absence. It is also important to correctly calculate the height at which the basin with water should be located so that moisture flows through the wicks to the flower in the required amount.
Capillary mats
You can also solve the problem of providing indoor flowers with the necessary moisture with the help of capillary mats. Usually such devices look like small mats that are made of hygroscopic material. These products are presented in a wide range in specialized shopping centers, and the price of such a system will definitely please you.
Capillary mats are usually laid on any available surface, for example, it can be a window sill or a wide table. However, it should be remembered that for more effective use, one end of the mat should hang down into a basin of water. Before laying the rug, be sure to lay an oilcloth or film under the structure, otherwise water drops will damage the lining of the wooden table.
In some cases, the dimensions of the mat will not allow immersing its end in a container of water. In this case, special strips will come to the rescue, which must be moistened in water, then place one end under the mat, and put the other in a basin of water. The effect of using these strips is reminiscent of homemade wicks, which ensure the supply of a sufficient amount of moisture. Also, in order to organize an automatic watering system at home, special pallets are used, the principle of which resembles the work of capillary mats.
The design of such pallets contains:
- capillary mat;
- inner shallow tray;
- deep tray.
The large tray is used as a water tank, it also holds a small tray with a mat underneath. Then a flowerpot with indoor flowers is placed on the structure.. Moisture in the right amount will go through this mat every day to the pots. The advantage of this method is that it will completely avoid the risk of rotting the root system.
Based on the above, we can conclude that today there are many automatic watering systems for green pets, each of which has its own characteristics. That is why, if you need to leave home for a while and you want to be completely sure that during your absence the plants will be provided with a sufficient amount of life-giving moisture, you can choose any of the above systems based on the individual requirements of the grower and his green pets.
Moreover, in the event that you currently do not have large funds to purchase industrial automatic watering systems, you can, if you wish, make it yourself. Moreover, it will show the same level of functionality as the factory systems.
No one knows when the time for an urgent trip will come in his life, but thanks to the automatic watering system, you can be sure that while you are away from home, all indoor flowers will be provided with enough moisture, and will again delight you with their beauty, but already when you get back from your trip home.
You gave the keys to your brother and quietly drove off on a two-week vacation. When we returned, it turned out that the beloved violets withered. It turned out that my brother really watered them ... But only on the last day before your arrival. Familiar?
As a result of much trial and error, several good options for "remote watering" houseplants have been selected. In this article I will tell you how you can make different types of automatic watering, as well as their pros and cons. But first of all…
- If the plant is unpretentious and "lives" in a large pot, you can just water it well. This may take a week or two.
- Do not place pots on a lighted windowsill, or near a hot radiator. So moisture from the soil will evaporate more slowly.
- If there are many pots, put them all in one place. So the plants will create their own microclimate of high humidity, in which they will be as comfortable as possible.
- Cut off all unnecessary - wilted flowers (or fresh ones, as well as buds), old (lower) leaves. So the flower for life will need less fluid.
- Do not feed the flowers for at least 2 weeks before your departure. The fact is that plants need a lot of liquid to assimilate the minerals contained in the top dressing. And there are no minerals - there is no overspending of water.
Also, some housewives (owners) wrap the top of the plant with a film or bag so that it loses less liquid.
True, this method is very controversial: for a flower it is a continuous stress, moreover, the plant will not last long in such a close "greenhouse". And if the leaves of the pet have fluff, “under the cap” they may even begin to rot.
Finally, after returning home, it is strictly forbidden to simply pluck a bag from a flower: this, again, is stress. First, you need to make a small hole in it, then enlarge it ... In general, the plant needs to be accustomed to clean air slowly and “from afar”, which is inconvenient.
We do automatic watering
Such an invention is needed in two cases: you will be absent for 2-3 weeks or longer, or you are so busy that you forget to water your flowers all the time and are afraid that they will begin to wither.
General pallet
This automatic flower watering is good if your pets grow in pots with holes at the bottom.
Prepare a large bowl that will fit all the pots. Pour a little expanded clay inside (a building material that looks like large ceramic peas). Water all the flowerpots, place them in a basin (remove the pallets from each pot). Add expanded clay on the sides, pour water.
Important: the roots should not touch the water, so the pots should not be buried in expanded clay, but should stand on top.
If it seems to you that there is not enough water, put an additional layer of wet moss on top of the pots. And besides, the holes in the bottoms of the pots should not be too large, otherwise the flowerpot will pull excess water, and rotting may begin in the roots.
Cons of this method:
- if at least one flower has a fungal disease, such a “hostel” can end in a total infection;
- this method will allow plants to receive moisture for a maximum of 20 days (and if they are very moisture-loving, they will last even less - 7 days).
Do not want to fool around with expanded clay? Buy a capillary mat. It can just as well be wetted with water and put pots on it. Lay a layer of garden film under the mat.
Important: if the store offers you cheaper geotextiles, refuse - this is not an environmentally friendly material that can harm your delicate pets.
The cost of such mats is about 3 euros per meter (moreover, the width can be different - from 100 to 200 cm).
Drip automatic watering for indoor plants
Such methods can be used either alone or in addition to the aforementioned common pallet system.
Important: with such watering, water is supplied to the flowers in a very dosed manner. And since all our pets have different “appetites”, it is important to check and adjust the method you have chosen for at least a week long before the holidays.
- Wicked. This option requires a flower transplant. For each pet, prepare a long wick (cord, you can take a thick bandage rolled up into a tube). Lay one end of it on the bottom of the pot, curling it into rings. Plant a plant in a pot, and lower the hanging end of the wick into a container of water (it should be larger than the pot; if the container is small, just put it higher - say, on a bucket). Violets love this method the most. By the way, in this photo you can see another option for wick watering, using a pallet bottle. Resourceful, isn't it?
- Inverted bottle. Method for large pots. Fill a bottle of water. Traditionally, plastic ones are used, but people with imagination even use wine ones. Make a small hole in the lid (water will come out from here), make a second hole in the bottom (air will come in here). You can use a hot nail. Insert the bottle into the soil with the cap down. Check if the ground is sufficiently saturated with moisture - maybe the holes will have to be made larger.
- Aqua globe (Aqua globes). "Cultivated" version of watering with a bottle. A purchased flask, which is stuck into the ground with a narrow part, acts as a container here. It's funny, but traditionally they look like a large enema. However, manufacturers can please buyers with a more interesting form by creating a sprinkler, say, in the shape of a bird or snail. But in fact, this is the same bottle, only for aesthetes (and at a price of 3 to 5 dollars apiece).
- Watering with cones. Another purchased "bottle-wick" look. You buy ceramic cones, stick one at a time into a pot, and then use a thin tube to attach the cone to a container of water. This method even helps to regulate the water supply - the lower you put the pot from the container, the more drops will flow into it. Issue price: from 1.5 to 15 euros per cone. The most popular (though not cheap) manufacturer of such goods is Blumart.
- Hydrogel. This tool can be used in a variety of ways. Ideal: mix dry hydrogel balls with soil, loosely plant a plant in it, water well. The gel will absorb a lot of moisture, which will be given to the flower for a couple of weeks. Another way: soak the gel, and when it swells, sprinkle it on top of the flower pot. And so that the liquid does not evaporate into the air, cover the balls with moss on top. And in some cases, flowerpots (mainly sprouts) are completely planted in a container filled with colored balls. Both beautiful and practical!
- Dropper. Yes, yes, an ordinary pharmacy, inexpensive - but with a built-in regulator that allows you to fine-tune the water supply to the ground. The system can even be connected to a five-liter plastic bottle - the main thing is that it should be higher than the pots.
If you are away very often (say, you are constantly sent on business trips), or simply forget about flowers because of business, buy ready-made smart automatic watering. We offer a video report about one of them. It's called "Smart Drop" and it's designed for long-term use.
Here's what it looks like:
For a collection of plants in the same room, on a balcony, loggia, patio or in a greenhouse, garden micro-drip systems of automatic watering. These are the "little brothers" of gardening systems, described in detail in the article. Microdrop devices are connected directly to the central water supply. Water is supplied and turned off at a predetermined time thanks to the built-in timer. When leaving on vacation or a business trip, you don't have to worry about the fate of the "green lodgers".
The best option for a house or apartment with an average collection of up to 30 plants - micro-drip irrigation systems with reservoir . Many tubes come out of the tank, through which water enters the droppers. The latter are plastic or with a ceramic tip, which is stuck directly into the ground.
ON THE PICTURE: Micro-drip irrigation system with a reservoir for a collection of up to three dozen plants.
A conventional dropper is manually adjusted with a special wheel. Its scrolling regulates the intensity of watering, for example, up to 20 ml. (20 drops) per hour.
Advanced ceramic tips act as soil moisture sensors. Depending on the moisture level of the soil, the droppers supply water or stop watering.
Ceramic cones
Popular among flower growers ceramic cones. These are kind of "carrots" from which plastic tubes extend. "Carrot" is stuck into the pot, and the end of the tube is lowered into a tank of water. At the same time, the process of water supply is not controlled manually. Moisture is drawn from the pressure vessel each time the earth dries out.
Manufacturers of "carrots" unanimously speak about the high quality and reliability of devices. However, the bad experience of some flower growers has shown the opposite. Ceramic cones are easily clogged, sometimes do not form the desired pressure. We have to look for the right place for the water tank in order to create this very pressure. But even here a problem arises: if you install the tank too high, there is a risk of flooding the plant, too low - the water may stop flowing altogether.
ON THE PICTURE: Ceramic cones are not very reliable, because. often clog and do not always provide the desired pressure.
In the absence of free space to install a vessel with water near the plant, use ceramic bottle cap. The advantage of this method is its ease of use. Attach the nozzle to an ordinary plastic bottle filled with water, insert it into the pot and forget about watering. The device will control the water supply itself, and the plant will receive exactly as much water as required. This is a great economical option: when using large two-liter bottles, you can forget about watering for a whole month.
ON THE PICTURE: Ceramic nozzle on the bottle - a simple and economical option for automatic watering.
There are decorative variations of ceramic cones in the form of animals, birds, butterflies, etc. They look very cute and are able to enliven the interior. But, unfortunately, such "toys" are not suitable for irrigation: because of the small volume, you will often have to add water.
enema balls
Outwardly, "enemas" look like spherical flasks with watering pipettes that are filled with water and inserted into the pot. When the soil begins to dry out, oxygen enters the leg of the flask and pushes out the amount of water the plant needs. In general, "enemas" are a good option for automatic watering, but they do not dose water well and sometimes flood the plant.
ON THE PICTURE: Enema balls provide watering of the plant and look original in the container.
self-watering pots
The self-irrigating pot consists of two containers. A plant is planted in one of them, water is poured into the other. The plant gradually absorbs moisture through special wicks.
ON THE PICTURE:"Smart" containers cope with the function of automatic watering of plants. Photo Tatura Florist.
Such a container is usually equipped with a water indicator. This allows you to accurately determine how much moisture is left in the pot and when you need to top it up. The technology for self-configuring such an irrigation system is shown in the video: "".
Do-it-yourself automatic watering organization: three simple ways
Automatic watering of a collection of plants can be organized independently, and in a short time and without significant material costs.
1st way
You will need: several hospital droppers according to the number of plants in need of watering, a 5-liter plastic bottle, an elastic band or wire for fastening the ends of the tubes.
How to do:
- Remove the needle tips from the droppers.
- Check droppers for integrity by blowing into them. If the tubes are not damaged, they will be well blown from both sides.
- Connect the ends of the tubes together and tie them with an elastic band or wire. So they will lie quietly at the bottom of the bottle, and not float on the surface. try do not pinch the tubes .
- Dip the tied ends of the dropper tubes into the water bottle and place the bottle as high as possible.
- Open the dripper regulator by running water through the tubes, then immediately close it.
- Insert the free ends of the straws into the pots and use the wheel to adjust the amount of incoming water.
ON VIDEO:In addition to droppers, medical syringes are suitable for creating home-made irrigation devices. From such a syringe, a plastic bottle and a PVC tube, a drip irrigation device is obtained.
2nd way
You will need: plastic water bottle. The size depends on the root ball of the plant. For a tub, several medium-sized bottles are taken, for a compact pot - one is small.
How to do:
- Make small holes in the bottle cap.
- Place the bottle upside down in the container with the plant.
ON THE PICTURE:Automatic watering from a bottle, plastic or glass, is also good for indoor seedlings. Photo by Megan Andersen-Read.
3rd way
You will need: nylon cords or laces, woolen threads, twisted bandages or any materials from which wicks can be made; a basin or bottle filled with water; peg for fixing the wick.
How to do:
- Twist an impromptu wick from improvised materials.
- Dip one end of the wick into a container of water.
- Secure the other end to the plant container with a peg or other means.
ON THE PICTURE:Wick automatic watering will keep healthy and fresh. Photo by u/skysong4.
- Micro-drip automatic watering systems with connection to the central water supply are preferred for medium and large collections of plants.
- If the water supply is blocked during your absence, a micro-drip system with a reservoir is recommended.
- For watering individual plants, use bottles with ceramic nozzles - simple, cheap and effective. One container for 2 liters. enough for about a month of watering.
- If the irrigation system is not equipped with a soil moisture sensor, it is better to purchase one separately. The presence of such a sensor will save plants from the destructive waterlogging of the earth.
Fans of breeding domestic plants have to deal with a situation where there is no one to leave the care of "green pets". After all, everyone needs an individual approach. Automatic watering of flowers will solve problems, as the plants will take the required amount of liquid and will not dry out until the owner returns. How to make automatic watering for indoor plants with your own hands? Numerous videos offer different options, we will talk about the most effective ones.
How to make automatic watering for any indoor plants with your own hands
In case of a long absence, it is recommended to use drip irrigation systems as an alternative to the usual one. In cases with some picky species, the method is also used as a regular method of moistening the substrate. Systematic, but minimal ingress of liquid into the soil mixture provides consistently optimal conditions for the roots, preventing them from rotting or drying out.
Drip (bottle)
The method is easy to install and use, cost-effective. The device is created from a large plastic bottle and a medical system for droppers. The latter has a built-in fluid flow regulator, which makes it easy to control the intensity of irrigation. The flowerpot will not rot due to waterlogging, and in the event of a long absence of the owner, it will receive enough life-giving moisture.
Advice: the volume of the container depends on the number of plants and the size of the peas - many plantings require a lot of water.
The bottle is placed on an elevation to create pressure in the system. One end is stuck into the ground deep enough so that it does not fall out during work, but not lower than half the height of the pot. The second is dipped into the container and, if necessary, is also attached with improvised means.
Instead of a bottle, you can use other dishes, but fixing the system is easiest to do with the help of tanks with a small neck. The end of the tube should reach to the bottom.
After installing automatic drip irrigation for home flowers, the frequency of operation is adjusted using the regulator.
Wicks
Woolen threads, ropes, twisted bandages, shoelaces are suitable as the main material. One end is dipped into a container with liquid, and the other is fixed in the ground using any means at hand.
The system allows at minimal cost to achieve a constant water supply to plants. In this case, representatives of the flora will absorb only the amount of moisture they need.
Important: The wick should not have any spraying, traces of a toxic chemical and similar compounds that can harm the plant if it enters the soil with water.
The described automatic wick irrigation system is suitable for temporary and permanent use on a general and individual basis. In the latter case, for each pot, you need to find a deep container with a slightly larger volume and make a two-story structure.
Medical dropper
Do-it-yourself automatic watering for indoor plants is easiest to make from an ordinary medical dropper. It is installed individually, on a tripod mounted from improvised means.
Devices specially designed for this are sold in stores. But you will have to tinker with a pharmacy dropper or simply replace the container with a small bottle using only the system.
One end of the tube is in the ground, and the other, with a weighting agent, is at the bottom of the water container, which is located above the pot. The intensity of the fluid flow is regulated by a roller, which is on each system.
cones
The Aqua globes dialer is a glass ball with a ceramic body. The structure is filled with water and the tapered end is installed in the ground.
Due to the capillary-porous structure, it gradually and evenly moistens the soil mixture. It is very problematic to assemble a device from improvised means. You can make an analogue from a small plastic bottle with your own hands according to the following instructions:
- On the lid and bottom, pierce a hole with a hot nail. Necessarily in two places, otherwise a vacuum will result, and the flow of liquid into the soil will be difficult.
- The container is mounted upside down over the pot.
- After installation, you need to check the rate of exit of the liquid and the volume of water flowing out of the bottle for 1, 3 and 6 days. The moisture level of the earth is estimated. Based on this data, the size of the opening in the lid is reduced or increased.
The system is cheap and easy to implement for both home and garden irrigation.
Purchased automatic watering
In order to facilitate the process of creating optimal conditions for home plants, you can use special tools that are sold in gardening stores.
Hydrogel or granular clay
The original polymer absorbs a large amount of moisture - a ball, weighing 2 g, holds from 200 to 500 ml of water. When it hits dry ground, it starts to give away what is stored.
There is a hydrogel for indoor plants in the form of transparent or matte colored granules. Recently, hydrogel capsules have been developed that contain special fertilizers, supplying the "green pet" with nutrients.
Important: according to the manufacturer, with regular use, hydrogel balls last for 4 years.
Application options:
- If you plant a plant in soil with dry granules and water it well, the material will absorb excess moisture, and then it will slowly give it back.
- You can place the ball in a small hole in a flowerpot with an already growing flower and water it. The process will start immediately. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out the procedure before the departure.
- Soak the capsule for 7-8 hours before release, and then pour the granules on top of the soil mixture, cover with moss.
The cost of the package depends on the number of balls in it - from 1 to 20 dollars. Granular clay is made from natural ingredients, but works on a similar principle.
Important: if you put a lot of saturated elements in a container with a small amount of earth, there is a high probability that the plant will rot.
Capillary mats
Perfectly provide automatic watering of home flowers and future seedlings. The device is made of a substance that is capable of transferring liquid by capillary pressure: the mat is spread on a horizontal surface, and pots with a drained bottom are placed on it.
One of the ends of the "mat" must be in constant contact with the liquid. For this, a bowl set a level below is suitable.
Such automatic watering for flowers with your own hands has a big plus - many plants are placed on one rug. Significant disadvantages include a high probability of rotting of the roots, which are constantly in a humid environment.
Such fastidious flowers as cyclamen, or representatives of the orchid family, this option is completely unsuitable - the plant will die. Bulbs will also not be able to receive liquid due to the fact that moisture reaches the lower roots, which they do not have.
Micro droplet system
It is often used to organize home irrigation, although it refers to industrial ones. There are several options.
They differ in the type of food, the method of intake and supply of water, the number of plants served. Some high-end units have timers and fine-tuning displays that allow you to water your home greenhouse completely automatically.
Multifunctional models with adjustable soil moisture intensity are popular. The cost depends on the capabilities of the system and the country of manufacture.
ceramic cone
A simple device with simple operation. More suitable for compact plants. Sold with or without a container, but with a universal thread for installing one.
The porous ceramic material gradually moistens the soil, preventing it from drying out and destroying the flower. It is installed closer to the side of the pot and away from the rhizome so that it does not rot.
Functional planter
The option is relevant for those who like to see living plants in their home, but who do not have the opportunity to pay enough attention to them.
The system, unique in its kind, works on the principle of communicating vessels: water in one, and a plant in the second. All that is required from the owner of such a device is to add liquid to a special connector in time.
With the help of a planter with an automatic watering function, it will be possible to achieve the ideal environment for ferns, whimsical orchids, cacti that do not like moisture and other indoor plants. The advantages include: protection of the roots from decay, aesthetically attractive appearance, the ability not to worry about the well-being of the plant for a long period.
Before finally deciding on a particular system, it is recommended to test its functionality on one, the most picky plant. Let the flowers delight with delightful colors, bright green foliage, clean air in the house and a healthy long period of life.