I have used small blumats in large 35 gallon pots with over 15 inches of depth. The secret is to move the drip line closer the deeper the pot gets. Otherwise you will have runaway issues. I use 10 distribution drippers and 2 small blumats per 35 gallon container.
Recycled Organic Living Soil (ROLS) and No Till Thread
- Thread starter headtreep
- Start date
Rrog
Well-Known Member
Most folks that I have had past discussions with would say that there is value in also measuring soil levels higher up, but the deep probe is best for deep soil. Not saying you can't water a plant with short carrots
I had this convo last year with Irrometer, who makes a great line of tensiometers. I'm looking at having one of those control the drip system, rather than a blumat carrot. More accurate and no runoff potential
I had this convo last year with Irrometer, who makes a great line of tensiometers. I'm looking at having one of those control the drip system, rather than a blumat carrot. More accurate and no runoff potential
Just trying to help the guy use what he already has instead of buying more pieces to the puzzle. what do you mean about measuring soil levels?
That blumat is a tensiometer. Google ollas. It is the same concept as a blumat and tensiometer except the olas do not create a vacuum. The blumats and tensiometer do because they have a cap/are a closed system.
edit: I added the ollas link because it is hard to find http://permaculturenews.org/2010/09/16/ollas-unglazed-clay-pots-for-garden-irrigation/
Love them. I remember a post by microbe man where he explained the dimensions for his bed and he said he wouldn't go lower than 30 gallons for a living bed. My plants grow like trees indoors but it did not help the plants nutrition wise. I have to top dress amendments every month at least in flower. But i'll say it again I love them!
I would upgrade. But what do you run now?
nvhak49
Well-Known Member
I was thinking about getting the distribution drippers too and two small carrots but it might be cheaper in the long run to just get the longer carrots and use the distribution drippers too. Or do the longer carrots work well by themselves in like a 15 gallon pot?
nvhak49
Well-Known Member
How many cycles hsve you ran in the 15 gallons. I was thinking about running 15s my next run but it depend on how many runs I could get out of them.
AllDayToker
Well-Known Member
So what size carrots for a 10g pot?
I use smart pots so would thsee blumats work the same?
I use smart pots so would thsee blumats work the same?
bizfactory
Well-Known Member
2x Maxi (long ones) are working fine in 15 gallons. I have the distribution drippers ready but haven't had to use them.
I have never used the maxi. I'm sure the moisture distribution is the same.
I read on the blumat forum that the maxi makes the top of the soil too dry so I didn't upgrade.
Are you upgrading for bigger plants or was the soil life limited in the smaller 15 gallon?
edit: answered above
bizfactory
Well-Known Member
The top of my soil is always moist, even in the corners. I was worried too but it's been working out. You can also adjust that a bit by extended the drip host further from the carrot so it takes more water to "turn off" the carrot.
Amazing! I'm dreaming for that day. Good luck can't wait to see those babies.