Supplementary Set
The set consists of tubing with distributor drippers for watering in rows, specially designed for raised beds or balcony boxes, but also suitable for greenhouse plantings.
- Tube length 14 cm = distance between drippers 15 cm
- Use: planted rows with spacing of 10-20 cm between plants
Unique feature: variable connection possibilities including perpendicular placement of distributor drippers
Requirement: connection to an existing water supply on a Tropf-Blumat-System
If no Tropf-Blumat system is available yet, you will need an additional 8mm supply tubing.
Water can be supplied from a faucet or with a pump (alternatively from an elevated water tank).[TAB:Contents]
- 12 distributor drippers
- 10 tubes, diameter 8 mm, length 14 cm, with plugs on both ends
- 2 Tropf-Blumat without drip tubing and T-connectors
- 2 T-connectors
- 2 m drip tubing
- 6 support pieces
- 6 extra plugs
- 5 end pieces 3 mm
- 1 mini-brancher with connecting piece
Set is sufficient for
- By 14 cm long tubes:
1 irrigation row with a length of about 150 cm, consisting of 10 tubes + 11 distributor drippers
+ 1 Tropf-Blumat as controller
See also “Use” for rules regarding set-up [TAB:Use]
Set-Up according to plant spacing
A set-up with a dripper spacing of 15 cm is suitable for a row of plants in a raised bed with a plant spacing between 10 and 20 cm. The distribution of water in the soil or substrate should be taken into consideration; for example, the porosity (distribution characteristics) of the substrate or soil plays a deciding role in the calculation. A very porous substrate distributes water less well – the water seeps away very quickly. It is possible to position the line of connected drippers in such a way that a better coverage is attained.
A set-up using a dripper spacing of 10 cm is advisable for seeded rows with short spacing, typically in the range of 2-15 cm, in this case the gaps in the moisture distribution are minimal. A further customisation is possible over the placement of the sensor and the duration of irrigation.
The tubing can be combined as desired, this including combinations between short and long tubes, or the tubes can be joined with a mini-connector, in order, for example, to increase the dripper spacing.
Connection and Water Supply
Each set of raised bed tubing is connected to 1 Tropf-Blumat as a source for water and for control purposes. The Tropf-Blumat is connected, as usual, using drip tubing to the water supply tubing. In most instances, the drip tubing needs to be somewhat longer, because the Tropf-Blumat should be placed typically in the second or third row. A more central placement is also possible using a mini-brancher with connector.
The normal water supply over a faucet with a pressure reducer, or possibly a pump, is also suitable for the raised bed tubing set. Water can also be supplied over an elevated water tank; however, the effective water column – the height between the Tropf-Blumat (at the watering head) and the actual water level – should not be less than 80 cm, even better 100 cm.
Placement
The irrigation set is placed alongside a row, the typical distance to the row of plants should be about 5-8 cm. If the rows are spaced about 12-15 cm apart, then the set can be placed in the middle, this allows water to distribute to both rows. It is advisable, however, to test the water distribution in the chosen substrate. Often it is better to place the set closer to the row.
The tubes should be placed so that the drippers are upright. The tubes can generally be fixated using 2 supporters, which are connected directly to the tube. This prevents the tubes from tipping over sideways.
For the purpose of easier placement, it is important that the bed is level. It is trickier when unevenness has to be compensated with the supporters. Therefore, it is worth taking the extra time during the preparation of the bed to control the surface using a level.
[TAB:Function]The most unique feature of the Raised Bed Set, aside from the connecting tubes, is the upright position of the distribution drippers.
Advantage: The distributor drippers and tubing remain filled with water, this allows for a faster reaction time, roots do not grow into the tubing, and they are less prone to clogging.
The use of tubes results in a more stable unit, necessitating fewer supports, and without requiring the use of drip tubing.
The water in the tubes is distributed, with almost no pressure, to the drippers, which are fed and controlled by the Tropf-Blumat unit.
This pressureless dispersion requires as little obstruction as possible in order to achieve an even distribution of water. The simple design of the distributor drippers allows for an average precision with discrepancies of about ± 10 %. This degree of accuracy is fully acceptable for the purpose of drip irrigation, including the additional dispersion in the soil.
The horizontal placement is important for success; otherwise water will quickly collect in low spots, which will become oversaturated.
In some respects even more important, however, is starting the growing season with clean (descaled) distributor drippers. If the water source is very hard, then water treatment should be considered.
The adjusting screws on the drippers should optimally produce an equalized resistance. This is achieved for the most part by tightening alls the screws completely. This point should be observed, especially after cleaning. These screws also allow for later adjusting, to compensate for any weak dripper locations, by moderately opening the screws by 1-2 turns.
The Raised Bed Set requires a bit of observation and practice at the beginning. This is also applies to using the Tropf-Blumat as a controller. The adjustment of the moisture level over the Tropf-Blumat is directly related to the needs and growth potential of the plants. This is especially important for freshly germinated seed rows. Also, the duration of irrigation should not be too short; for this reason, the Tropf-Blumat is generally positioned between two distributor drippers, assuring enough distance to the nearest clay cone.
