Surface-Blumat

• 1 Tropf-Blumat surface sensor
  with drip tubing and T-connector

 
Consists of a plate-shaped bottom (= porous clay foot + integrated threaded neck) + a watering head + 40 cm drip tubing and T-connector, 8-3-8 mm, + cap
Size (approx.): total height- 100 mm, Ø clay foot- 73 x 30 mm, Ø watering head- 35 mm
 

Automatically controlled, specialized dripper for watering on matting (moist fleece) through capillary action, for watering plants in small pots on watering trays or on a plastic covered tabletop in a greenhouse (“Surface-Blumat”). The clay foot is placed on the matting und connected to the water supply tubing using a T-connector; water pressure is necessary for operating (see Function).

Requirements for watering on trays (surface watering):

For even water distribution, it is necessary that a fleece matting be used and that the surface of the tray or small table be absolutely horizontal.
In addition, the pots must have a flat bottom with holes (without rim) in order for the water to be transported upwards via capillary action from the fleece matting into the pot.
The drip spacing (distance between the sensor and the drip location) must be large enough, so that sufficient water is dispersed for the surface area and the sensor does not end watering too soon (see Directions for Use). The Tropf-Blumat Set for watering trays with distributor is recommended for use on larger tables (Art. Nr. 1151). 
 

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.