Balcony automatic plant watering solution?

[Quattro Pete]

Got a large plant on the balcony that needs consistent watering while I'll be away from home for 2 weeks. I'm looking for a pump that can dump about 2-3 liters of water in one go every 2 days, and that can draw from something like a 5-gal paint bucket, or similar. There is no water hookup on the balcony, unfortunately.

I tried one of these automatic watering systems ( http://a.co/6PKdgHS ) but it's a weakling. It can't be programmed to dispense more than about 0.35 liters in one go. I need something more potent than this. Any suggestions?

I know, I know... I should just ask a neighbor to come in and water it for me every other day, but it's a hassle...

 

[EdwardC]

I did this once, I got a submersible pump, put it in a big 50 or 60 quart cooler full of water. Then I hooked the pump to one of those 7-day digital timers. The trouble was that it only had one minute increments, and the pump I had could move a lot of water in 1 minute. It might be just right for your application though.

 

[SuperSalad]

Maybe I'm under-thinking it but is it feasible for you to go low-tech and set it up a drip hose siphoned from the bucket? If you can put it together, you'd just need to test out hole sizes ahead of time to regulate to output before you left.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Was the pump battery operated or AC/DC? Do you happen to have a link to it?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: MotoTribologist
Maybe I'm under-thinking it but is it feasible for you to go low-tech and set it up a drip hose siphoned from the bucket? If you can put it together, you'd just need to test out hole sizes ahead of time to regulate to output before you left.

My fear is that slow drip is not going to achieve what I need. It's just going to water the top part of the soil. I need something that will saturate the entire plant pot every 2 days or so and then give it time to dry out a bit, and then repeat.

 

[EdwardC]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Was the pump battery operated or AC/DC? Do you happen to have a link to it?


I believe it was a Harbor Freight unit, I can't remember which one exactly, it was one of their smaller ones. The one I had was a 120VAC model, probably this one: https://www.harborfreight.com/158-gph-submersible-fountain-pump-63315.html

However, if you don't have power, I know Amazon has 12V models, same with the digital programmable timer relays.

Ultimately, my plants were much smaller, so I ended up using a gravity fed method. I bought a 12V solenoid valve that was connected to a water container held above the plant. I used a DC wall-wart plugged into the 120Vac wall timer. When the timer was on, it would allow flow to the plant. I could more easily restrict the amount of water by clamping up the hose a little. This all used fairly small aquarium sized tubing.

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I need something that will saturate the entire plant pot every 2 days or so and then give it time to dry out a bit, and then repeat.


Here in Canada we call that a next door neighbour ....

 

[RedOakRanch]

I did a siphon drip from a 30 gal trash can to a redwood tree before, it worked great for a week, never tried 2. I used 1/4" drip line with a valve at the end to get it to drip.

 

[SZR48207]

Originally Posted By: EdwardC
I did this once, I got a submersible pump, put it in a big 50 or 60 quart cooler full of water. Then I hooked the pump to one of those 7-day digital timers. The trouble was that it only had one minute increments, and the pump I had could move a lot of water in 1 minute. It might be just right for your application though.


This seems like a good solution -- maybe get a smaller pump, or use varying diameters of hose to restrict flow.

 

[Audios]

My buddy rigged a drip system up, 2 5 gals worked for 3 weeks when came north to visit us. Hes in Miami Beach.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Thanks, all. Ac operated pump is ok. I found this 80 gph pump with adjustable water flow... http://a.co/htOO5b7

Now i just have to figure out the tubing and some heavy duty drippers.

 

[tom slick]

Read about "gravity drip irrigation" and "automated rain barrel irrigation". You'll probably get some ideas for your setup.

 

[oilpsi2high]

You're going to spend more time and money setting up a system. Instead, why not just have a neighbor, friend, or relative water the plant while you're away? Throw them gas money or let them stay at your place.

 

[Brybo86]

I think neighbors teenager is the best option. $5 to water plant that takes 2 mins to complete.