Drip irrigation

Okay I have a pump that I found so I decided to go purchase some 1/4'' tubing with a few pressure compensating drippers (1/2 gal/ hr) And I have it all set up with one dripper for each plant (keep in mind they are all in soil for the time being).

My question is how often should the drippers be on for soil? I was thinking maybe on for 30 mins once every 12 hours maybe?? (complete geuss). Or am I going to have to plug it in for 30 mins and see how long it takes for the soil to dry out?

Is this even a good idea for soil? I plan on moving to hydro with this system after I get a couple more grows under my belt.

it will depend on your soil,humidity,plants size ,ect.
confirm what the drippers are putting out b4 assuming anything.how much do you water now? your idea of 30 min every 12 hrs would give you 1/2 gallon per plant per day if drippers are as rated. is that what you are adding now?

Hmmm I probably only add a gallon every few days, looks like I need to rethink that. Maybe once a day for 30 mins??

diet103 said:

Hmmm I probably only add a gallon every few days, looks like I need to rethink that. Maybe once a day for 30 mins??

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well I have been considering a dripper and thinking two times a day. something like 15 minutes at lights on and 15 minutes 3/4 way through the day. then maybe 5 minutes sometime during the night cycle. its all dependent on the systems out put I don't want more than a half inch of water in tray.

dbo24242 said:

well I have been considering a dripper and thinking two times a day. something like 15 minutes at lights on and 15 minutes 3/4 way through the day. then maybe 5 minutes sometime during the night cycle. its all dependent on the systems out put I don't want more than a half inch of water in tray.

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I wish I had a timer with 5 min intervals!!! all my stupid timers are 30 min. The 15 min ones are even a little pricey.

I thought about it, if the dripper is only in one spot will the entire root mass get watered?? Or is this a major flaw in drip systems?? Im thinkin about using this only for situations where I am gone for more than a few days. I'm just gonna use the same pump to design an aeroponics system

diet103 said:

I wish I had a timer with 5 min intervals!!! all my stupid timers are 30 min. The 15 min ones are even a little pricey.

I thought about it, if the dripper is only in one spot will the entire root mass get watered?? Or is this a major flaw in drip systems?? Im thinkin about using this only for situations where I am gone for more than a few days. I'm just gonna use the same pump to design an aeroponics system

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The water will spread out. haven't you heard of capillary action?

A drip system with soil is something you should turn on by hand once every few days - more of a watering convenience. If you want more of a hydro system buy soil-less mix. Then you might water once a day. And you can buy simple digital timers at Lowe's or HD that have 1 min intervals.

If your growing in soil. Why would you change the time you water. water once very well then let the soil dry out and do it again. I would guess1/2 to 1 hr every 3 days or so.

diet103 said:

I wish I had a timer with 5 min intervals!!! all my stupid timers are 30 min. The 15 min ones are even a little pricey.

I thought about it, if the dripper is only in one spot will the entire root mass get watered?? Or is this a major flaw in drip systems?? Im thinkin about using this only for situations where I am gone for more than a few days. I'm just gonna use the same pump to design an aeroponics system

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yea as mentioned before digital timers are better but they do cost 4 or 5 times as much as the little analog ones.