Using Drip emitters for containers - question

[nniemiec]

I'm switching to a top water drip system vs. my previous use of a self-watering gutter system.

My question is: if i'm i'm using drip emitters in 15 gallon fabric bags - should I use multiple emitters to ensure an even watering?

What is your experience w/ using drip emitters & getting an even saturation in the bag? MY concern is using only (1) will lead to alot of wasted water that drips out of the center of the bag - leaving outer areas dry...

thanks in advance!

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by nniemiec

I'm switching to a top water drip system vs. my previous use of a self-watering gutter system.

My question is: if i'm i'm using drip emitters in 15 gallon fabric bags - should I use multiple emitters to ensure an even watering?

What is your experience w/ using drip emitters & getting an even saturation in the bag? MY concern is using only (1) will lead to alot of wasted water that drips out of the center of the bag - leaving outer areas dry...

thanks in advance!

You have to know what your soil characteristics are as to how to space emitters.
A well drained soil will go deeper but not spread out.
You are in a a container so this would more than likely be what you have.
There are several types of emitters.
I like to use the ones that are adjustable in a spike.
They are called adjustable mini bubblers
They send out a spider leg type pattern.
Some people dont like them but I do because I use a 200 mesh filter on my system.
You can get them on line or the big box stores.
Worth

[nniemiec]

Thanks Worth - looks like 1/4" soaker hose spiraled could do the job as well? my soil is loamy, so would require plenty of coverage....

[Worth1]

Do you mean the 1/4 drip line with spaced emitters?
I have never seen a 1/4 soaker hose.

Worth

[heirloomtomaguy]

I use a .5 gph per container set a few inches from the base of the plant. I like using the lower gph emitters set on a longer watering time. It helps the soil wick the water throughout the entire container vs a 1 or 2 gph emitter that floods the container and pours water out of the bottom without properly watering the soil. Soaker hose will also work well for the same reason as the .5 gph emitters.

[nancyruhl]

I tried the1/4 inch soaker hose in my hanging planters. Didn't work well. I pitched it after one sorry season.

[Cole_Robbie]

Dramm makes a product called Dribble Rings that I looked at. People have said you can make your own to save money with elbows for the tubing you use.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

Dramm makes a product called Dribble Rings that I looked at. People have said you can make your own to save money with elbows for the tubing you use.

Why not a tee and just make a circle it is tubing and not pipe.
You could coil it as many times as you want for the amount of emitters in each container.
Then just tie wrap it in a few places to keep it in shape.
Go to them with a 1/2 main line branching out to each container with 1/4 tubing.

Worth

[Cole_Robbie]

Sure. That's what I meant. I haven't worked with the stuff. Some of the tubing I use, mostly for header lines, is too stiff to bend in a small circle, but the normal drip tubing should probably be fine with that.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

Sure. That's what I meant. I haven't worked with the stuff. Some of the tubing I use, mostly for header lines, is too stiff to bend in a small circle, but the normal drip tubing should probably be fine with that.

I have some coiled up hanging from a tree I will see how small of a loop I can get.
Be right back.
I'm back.
Less than 6 inches in diameter and still have 2 emitters and this stuff is very old.
Never did get it to kink.
Don't remember the brand but it is brown.
I have to say I have more irrigation stuff around here than the law allows.
Worth

[franknmiss]

I have 15 gallon grow bags and large pots that I like to water a 2 GPH. I use 4 of these .5 GPH add- a- drippers in the bag or pot formed in a ring. You just series as many of the drippers as you need.
The kits have a main line tap, drippers and a tubing plug. I get these from Lowe's.

[Nematode]

Woodpecker jr pressure compensated emitters for me.

They close under a few psi, so your pipes stay full, and the low plant doesn't get drenched.

.5 gph is one way to eliminate "false drain" where the nutrient/water goes around rather than soaking into the media.