Special set for planting tubs on patios or in gardens, but also suitable for watering larger solitary plants in troughs or beds, as well as for use in green houses or solariums.
Water supplied from an elevated reservoir tank.
(For directions for attaching to a faucet see Planter Tubs-Set 2)
- 12 Tropf-Blumat Maxi without drip tubing + T-connector piece (TB-Maxi)
- 10 m water supply tubing, black, 8 mm
- 10 m drip tubing, 3 mm
- 10 T-connectors, 8-3-8 mm
- 1 end piece, 8-3 mm
- 5 mini-connectors, 3-3 mm
- 5 mini-branch connectors, 3-3-3 mm
- 1 elevated tank connector, 8 mm (inserted in a 12 mm bore hole)
- 1 corer
Set is suitable for (alternative examples)
- 12 plants in a 30-(40) cm size tub, each with 1 TB-Maxi
- 6 plants in a 40-50 cm tub, each with 2 TB-Maxi
- 4 plants in a 50-60 cm tub, each with 3 TB-Maxi
- 6 larger size solitary plants in a bed, each with 2 TB-Maxi
- 12 tomato plants, planted in a green house (intensive watering)
Directions for correct usage can be found under “Use”
Setting-up Tropf-Blumats – number required
Tropf-Blumat Maxi waters more intensively than normal Tropf-Blumats, it should be inserted to a depth of ca. 15-18 cm into the root mass, dripping will take place less often, but therefore, for longer periods (normal setting).
The watering of planting tubs (or larger pots) begins above a container size of about 30 cm high, rarely somewhat smaller. In this case, 1 TB-Maxi is generally enough.
The final number of TB-Maxi is dependent on the size of the plant as well the needs of a particular plant species and sometimes the substrate. Often 2 TB-Maxi are enough for tubs of 40-50 cm and 3 TB-Maxi for 50-60 cm size containers. The danger that plants overgrow or are damaged due to overwatering is higher than the opposite.
TB-Maxi is not suitable for watering in planter boxes (for instance, on balconies). However, it can be used for watering of a large solitary plant in a mixed planting in a trough. Also, solitary shrubs planted in beds in solariums or near a house are well suited for watering with TB-Maxi, depending upon the size, 1-3 per plant, inserted in the outer root mass. Also suited for watering cultivated tomatoes planted in greenhouses – 1 TB-Maxi per plant.
Unique Features of this Set
This Tropf-Blumat set comes without drip tubing and T-connectors. Therefore, the tubing can be cut to fit individual needs, it is then inserted through the watering head (open adjusting screw completely), leave an overhang of about 10 cm when fixating the tubing. (Also see Suggestions for Adjusting).
The mini-branch connectors make it possible to branch the tubing in a tub for 2 or 3 TB-Maxi using only 1 drip tubing connection to the water supply. The mini-connector also has the advantage of allowing for the simple removal of the tub for relocation. The corer is a simple tool for making a hole in which the TB-Maxi can be easily inserted.
Connection to an elevated reservoir tank
The connection onto the elevated tank (spigot with hose) should be mounted towards the bottom of the tank, about 5 cm above the tank floor (12 mm bore hole).
The elevation of the tank should be at least 150 cm above the watering level (top of pot) to the bottom of the tank, in order to produce the necessary minimum pressure. Overly low pressure can result in clogging of the tubing! The higher pressure is necessary due to the longer or multiple drip tubing in the system.
The tank can be purchased at a local hardware store to meet individual needs. It should be impenetrable to light and should be cleaned occasionally.
Tubing Installation:
The 8 mm-water supply tubing should be placed along the bottoms of the planters which are to be watered or possibly a bit further away for the purpose of hiding the tubing under an edge (depending upon the amount of tubing available). The tubing is then led up into the pots or planting tubs. At the location of the tub, the tubing is cut and a t-connector is inserted into the two ends of tubing (for the last Tropf-Blumat at the end of the tubing, use an end piece instead of a t-connector).
In order to minimize the loss of pressure (see elevated tank), the water supply tubing should have as few branches as possible and when branches are necessary, they should be as evenly distributed as possible. The drip tubing should be kept as short as possible and not exceed 60 – (100) cm.
The water supply tubing can also be mounted using any wire fasteners or nail clamps, depending upon the specifics of the location.
System
"Tropf-Blumat" (Tropf = Drip) works using pressure as its basis, it requires a minimum pressure for the correct functioning of the watering head and to avoid cloggage.
The Tropf-Blumat is the heart piece of the entire system and acts as a moisture sensor and dripper at the same time. Every dripper location is therefore sensor controlled according to the tensiometer principle. Also included in the system are fittings to connect the tubing.
Procedure
Fill the Tropf-Blumat with water (part of the sensor function only!) – see Directions for Use – and insert into moist soil. As the soil becomes drier, water is sucked out of the feeler which is a porous clay cone. This creates a sub pressure (partial vacuum). As the pressure develops, a membrane in the watering head is released (before then it is squeezed together), opening the thin dripper tubing; the tubing begins slowly to drip. The water seeps through the soil once again to the clay cone, causing a lessening of the sub pressure, the valve closes; the dripping slowly stops.
Adjusting
The Tropf-Blumat is adjusted using the brown knob; it should be set so that when the soil is optimally wet, the dripper has just stopped dripping. When first using, the sensor requires a certain settling period. Therefore, adjusting should be carried out only after a day of use. The general recommended adjustments are described in the Directions for Use or in our Recommended Settings. It is important that the adjustment is correct from the beginning!
Maintenance
The water being used must be clean (there is no filter in the system), it can contain completely water soluable fertilizer. It is recommended to treat water that is extremely hard (over ca. 30°dH) by softening or to use rainwater, if possible. Light lime deposits in the tubing can be removed by rubbing.
The water inside the sensor should be occasionally checked. However, in general, the water will not need to be topped off during the watering period. Under certain conditions, winter operation is also possible.
