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Watering Systems2
Watering Systems2
Color gamut
of the fertilizers have their own pH adjustment, High mineral soils—These formulations will
so it’s better to adjust the pH after the fertil- suit mineral soils such as ones made up of lime-
izer is added. stone, pumice, perlite, and decomposed granite
There are many commercial fertilizers with bal- (no humus material). They will also contain the
anced N, P, and K. Phosphorus (P) is always present needed micro-nutrients. Formulations of 20-20-
as phosphate, and potassium (K) is always pres- 20 fertilizer may contain large amounts of urea
ent as potassium ion. However nitrogen (N) will as its nitrogen source, which will be washed out
be split up into three groups: ammoniacal, nitrate, of the soil.
and urea. These formulations are frequently based
upon chemical cost. It is advisable to include the Formulation for high mineral soils (30gal = 114L)
commercial fertilizers into the formulations since Material CC Tbsp
these contain the needed micro-nutrients. 20-20-20 30 2
High humus soils—Those who use higher humus Ammonium Sulfate 30 2
soils will have to add more nitrogen since the humus
content of the soils may use up the available nitro- This is a urea-free formulation for high min-
gen. For this reason we recommend higher (ca. 2x) eral soils. These contain roughly 50 PPM of the
amounts of nitrogen for high-organic soils. three elements N, P, and K.
Formulation for high-humus soils (30gal = 114L) Urea free formulation for high mineral soils
Material CC Tbsp.
(30gal = 114L)
Commercial 20-20-20 fertilizer 60 4 Material CC TBSP
Ammonium sulfate 120 8
Schultz 10-54-10 15 1
thicker plastic will last longer. I have gone through Watering—I water one area at a time. When a
several cheap, plastic, garbage cans which have hose is moved from one area to another, it should
turned into holders for my potting soil during the be shut off with a shutoff valve, preferably attached
winter, because they had developed leaks. There are near the nozzle. In this way maximum pressure
many other possibilities. Plastic 55-gallon drums will be maintained in the hose and kinking will be
are available. I have a 30 gallon drum. However, avoided. Always check the water level in the tank
if nothing else is available, a very good, plastic, at the onset of watering. Running pumps dry can
garbage can may be used. Don’t use galvanized destroy the pump. When the tank is depleted of
cans though; they are not good for this activity. water, quickly cut the power. This will not harm
Hoses and connections—In an area with lit- most pumps. I have had a couple of pumps run
tle frost, installation of PVC pipe is a definite dry for about 30 minutes. I thought I had ruined
advantage. I use regular hoses since they can be the pump but it had a heat override.
taken down or put up easily. Since I live in Min- Nozzles—I have noticed that nozzles, as well
nesota with frost possible from October to May, as the male and female connectors of the hose, are
I have found hoses to be better; freezing will not subject to corrosion. Other spray parts, which have
ruin them. It is best to buy good hoses. With the a zinc type metal in them, are even more subject
lower pressure that occurs with sump pumps, the to corrosion. Plastic nozzles and other fittings
hoses will have a tendency to kink and constrict will last a lot longer for this activity.
the flow. I also use spiral hoses with a ½” ID to Filtering – In all of my hoses I use a filter
pump water into one of my smaller greenhouses screen to prevent the spray nozzles from getting
since I don’t need a higher flow there. I always impacted with particulates such as leaves, etc.,
use shut-off valves on all of my hoses and deliver from the tank. These are available in garden shops.
water from a spray nozzle so that there is a back Siphon mixers—We do not recommend siphon
pressure that keeps the hoses from kinking. mixers since the variability may be way too high
Garbage can tank showing hoses Water in and water out hoses shown
Dosatron Detail
the ammonium sulfate with vinegar, ‘well, that is Elton Roberts e-mail: 1cactus1@verizon.net
party time!’ All sorts of cacti and succulents are Malcolm Burleigh e-mail: mburleig@isd.net