For my vegetable and flower garden, I have a drip irrigation system that is automated and is a god send (especially when departing for a long weekend/vacation, etc).

Just wondering if anyone has devised/is using a good automatic watering system for fig watering?  Initially I thought about using drip irrigation for fig pots as well, but due how big/deep the pots get, I'm not sure how effective that would be.

A SIP with a automated system that  is electronic/battery free would seem to be the way to go.  I noted a video series on YouTube (see 2012 Bucket Garden Automatic Watering System parts 1-3) which looks like it would work well long term as an automatic watering system using SIPs. 

I admit I've never built a SIP so I wanted to inquire from those that have whether they thought the logic of this system was sound in regards to SIP use with fig trees.

Thanks,

I just put this together and it's working beautifully so far:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/rain-gutter-selfwatering-system-vacation-no-problem-6964494?pid=1283359923#post1283359923

Frank,

Thanks for the response.  That's a pretty cool system.  Looks like it supplies water for a great many pots and should easy to use when you up-pot as well (which design in my video link doesn't allow for).  It also provides platform to put your pots on and easily level them off.  I also like how it can be broken down and stacked when not in use in the winter.

Couple questions:

1.  Do you have a water reservoir (and if so, what size is it) or does the water go into the gutter system straight from the hose?
2.  Why are you using PVC pipes in your pots for this design?  I understand how the "net cup" works with the gutters, but not the PVC pipe.
3.  Do you cover your gutters to reduce evaporation/bugs, or do you not worry about that?

Looks like the design in the video is using the same float part that the video I posted uses.

Thanks.

Malcolm,

A rain barrel supplies the water.  The float regulates the amount in the gutters.
I used pvc pipe as my wicks because they were free.  I had spare pipes on hand.  I drilled holes in the pipes for water accessibility and used screen on the bottom to retain the soil.  As for the pvc pipes sticking out of the top, they are no longer needed, as they were used to get water inside of the reservoir.
I do cover my gutters with black plastic to keep out bugs.

Frank,

Thanks for the response.  Can you clarify how your PVC pipes work as a wick?  Do you fill the pipe with soil and then through capillary action, the water comes up the pipe out through the holes?  I would think using a pipe instead of a net cup would be a better design choice when needing to move the pots inside for the winter and store them leveled on the ground.

One would think most people that use a gutter water delivery system don't worry about winter storage of their plants since they are most likely veggie plants that die off in the winter.

The bottom wick pvc pipe is only about 4" tall and secured to the bottom of the bucket with zip ties.  I will keep the reservoir buckets from my original SIP setup and use those as winter storage, as it will be easier to store.

Frank,

I think I understand the concept.  With your 4" length of PVC pipe (I'm assuming it's 1" diameter pipe).  Is there anything you put in the pipe to enhance wicking, or is it not necessary?  

My thinking would be to have a longer pipe that had a end cape within the pot that has holes throughout it's length.  When in use, the pipe would be pulled down from the bottom of the pipe so that it enters the gutter chamber.  The pipe could be filled with wicking material (most likely clothesline material) or just high porosity soil.  The bottom of the pipe in the gutter chamber would have a screw on cap.

So basically:

- Spring time, extend the pipe from the pot into the gutter, fill the pipe with new wicking material or pack with HP soil
- Late fall time, push the pipe back into pot and store fig in garage until the next year.

Does this sound like it would work?

Also, if anyone has any other SIP automatic wateriing system set up, I'd love to hear about it.  Also, has anyone ever monitored their moisture content in their SIPs.  I'm assumming it would be rather by drilling small port holes in the side of the container and using a moisture meter like this.

I think we're getting confused with the pvc piping.  ;)

On the bottom of the bucket, you would use a wicking basket.  Since I had 4" pvc pipe, I used this as my wicking basket instead.  This is only about 4" tall, so 4x4.  I packed it with Pro Mix.  As for the 1" pvc pipes sticking out of the buckets, it goes all the way through the bottom of the bucket, into the 2nd reservoir bucket solely as a water feeder.

Frank,

Ahhh, I understand now.  Thanks for the clarification.

I use sip containers with an irrigation system and it works great. send me a pm and i'll give more info and pics

Frank,

Regarding automated SIP system mentioned above (gutter system)....

With the gutter system using a built-in float I'm assuming the following:

1.  Gutter water volume depletes constantly due to SIP wicking and evaporation.  
2.  Water level is replenished immediately by the built-in float and rain barrel
3.  Fig plant has a constant source of water

Not sure if the above statement is true or not, but if it is, wouldn't one be concerned with root rot?

Malcolm,
The Alaska Grow bucket SIPs uses a similar Float Level controller bucket system http://alaskagrowbuckets.com/alaska-grow-bucket-guide/ and is similar to your linked system or the Rain Gutter automated system without the Rain Gutters, http://alaskagrowbuckets.com/image-gallery/ .
 
It uses most of the same parts except you will need the grommets, plastic fittings and Vinyl or Poly tubing to connect the SIPs. You can have dozens of buckets connected to a common float level controller bucket. The float level controller bucket can be connected to any pressurized water supply, a Rain Barrel or even to a garden hose. The float valve that I'm currently using is the Youtube recommended and is available here...

Here are some buckets that I assembled using a float Level controller bucket watering system, which also happens to be similar to the GenHydro WaterFarm system, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6828408 .
  .

Pete,

Thanks for the link and pic.  Very informative.  I'm still wondering about root rot though.  I'm in the process of rooting some cuttings, and one of the golden rules is to watch how much watering you do or you'll get root rot.  With classic SIPs, you manually fill the bottom of the SIP reservoir when necessary so the soil isn't constantly wet.   With the two automated systems noted in this thread, the reservoir (be it a tank, gutter, etc) would always replenish the SIP(s) with a given level of water until the reservoir runs out.

So... is root rot a concern in regards to creating an automated SIP watering system?  If it is, the water level of the reservoir could be easily adjusted using a battery powered hose timer (which I have).  I was just wondering whether or not it would be needed as I haven't noted it in any one's system.

Thanks.

Malcolm,
In a properly designed SIP the water reservoir can and should be filled to the top level at all times, which is below the bottom of the aeration platform. The aeration platform keeps the potting mix out of the reservoir and keeps it from getting waterlogged, the EarthBox SIP is a good example... http://earthbox.com/earthbox-systems.html .

The issue of root rot is more applicable for fig cuttings that have not developed a healthy root structure. Here are 2 Topics that discussed some procedures for using mini-SIPs to grow fig cuttings, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6685398 and http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6719728 Good Luck.

BTW, EarthBox sells an Automatic watering system for their planters... http://earthbox.com/earthbox-pdf/AWS-Web-Instructions-2011.pdf . Their instruction sheets in PDF format are located here... http://earthbox.com/instructions .