Solar irrigation

[mtarros]

Hi,

I have been looking at setting up a solar irrigation system to give my bonsai and stock plants more water in summer as I can only water them when I come home after work.

I was looking at 2 different systems and just wanted to see what you all thought was the better way.

Irrigatia SOL-K12 is a solar powered pump
http://www.irrigatia.com.au/index.php/w ... atia-.html

Rule RainPerfect Solar Powered Rain Barrell Pump
http://www.amazon.com/Rule-RainPerfect- ... 33&sr=8-10

The Irrigatia SOL-K12 looks like a good idea and will give more water if there is more sun in the 3 hours from the last watering cycle.

The Rule RainPerfect Solar Powered Rain Barrell Pump will need a timer and a dripper irrigation kit.
It will let me set a time to run the pump but it may not be a hot day and I dont want to over water them??

What do you think is the better way to go?

Thanks
Michael

[kcpoole]

Just be sure that your plants are OK with drippers. They tend to only water the area of the pot they are in and not the complete pot surface.
I have small sprayers I use and get full coverage over the pot surface so no part stays dry.

Also the flow rate ( 6 L / hour) I think will be too slow?
Mine come on for about 5 mins every morning, and I use about 2 - 3 L per pot during that time
As I use Diatomite mix, I do not worry about overwatering. unless it rains fro a week then I do not worry about it

Ken

[mtarros]

I ended up going with the Rule RainPerfect Solar Powered Rain Barrell Pump and also getting some irrigation bits to make a system up.

It should be better hopefully, depends on the solar pump.

I will let you all know how it is.

Thanks
Michael