5. Irrigation
Seedlings are very susceptible to drought because they start life with very small root systems and so a reliable watering system is essential. Many systems can be set up on a timer, or even with a sensor to automatically water when compost dries out to a certain level.
| Standing sprinklers |
- Water is supplied through either fixed or moveable hoses to a number of moveable sprinklers on stands.
- Controlled by taps.
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| Overhead sprinklers |
- Many sprinklers are fixed in lines over the growing area.
- Water is supplied through fixed hoses and controlled by taps.
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| Capillary bed |
- Sand bed is tanked and fills with water to just below the sand surface level.
- Plants soak up water through capillary action.
- Automatic ball-cock system keeps the bed full at all times.
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| Flood irrigation |
- Beds are tanked with or without sand in base.
- Beds are flooded for a period of time until plants soak up water then drained.
- Water is recycled back into a tank.
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| Drip irrigation
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- A nozzle is put into every plant container.
- Water drips through each nozzle.
- Water is supplied by fixed or moveable hoses and controlled by taps and timers.
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| Hydroponics |
- Plant roots are continuously submerged in water.
- Water is often recycled.
- Water is oxygenated so that plant roots can survive being. submerged.
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| Hand watering
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- Suitable for a home system, plants are watered with a can or hose pipe.
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