1. Watering Systems Greenhouse Management

2. 3 Basic Types • Sub-Irrigation • Overhead Irrigation • Drip Irrigation

3. Sub-Irrigation Systems

4. Capillary Matting • Non-woven fibers • Re-usable • Stores water & nutrients • Indoor or outdoor use • Soluble salt issues

5. Capillary Matting Removing P17 tissue IHP Capillary Matting (clean) IHP Capillary Matting covered with P17 tissue

6. Capillary Matting • A distribution system is used to wet the mat

7. Ebb & Flow (Flood) Benches • Pots placed in tray • Trays are flooded • Excess fertilizer solution drains back into reservoir • Soluble salt issues Econojet 4x4 Ebb & Flow Bench

8. Ebb & Flow (Flood) Benches Ebb & Flow Benches at DeJongs, Pella, IA

9. Flood Floor Irrigation • Plants grown on the floor • Floor is flooded with a fertilizer solution • Plants absorb water and nutrients • Unused fertilizer solution is recycled • Soluble salt issues

10. Flood Floor Irrigation Flood Floor Irrigation at Willoway Nurseries

11. Flood Floor Irrigation Flood Floor Irrigation at DeJongs

12. Overhead Irrigation

13. Hand Watering • Still the preferred method of many growers • Never as easy as it looks • Difficult to apply water uniformly • Problems with wet foliage

14. Water Breakers

15. Handles & Shut-offs

16. Plastic Water Collectors • Made from re-cycled plastic • Pot sits on collector • Collector directs water back towards pot

17. Side View of Collector

18. Overhead Boom Irrigation • Computer controlled • Precise application • Interchangeable nozzles • Can be programmed on a per crop basis • Capability of applying fertilizers and pesticides • Wet foliage

19. Fixed Overhead Irrigation Systems • Many styles and manufacturers to choose from • Nozzles interchangeable • Nozzle output measured in GPM at a specified pressure

20. Dramm Nifty Nozzle Flow Rates

21. Fixed Overhead Irrigation Systems Dramm JetRain Nozzles

22. ECHO System • For hanging baskets • Baskets hang from hooks on a cable system • Irrigating nozzles remain in a fixed position • Baskets are brought to the nozzles

23. ECHO System

24. Drip Systems

25. Spaghetti Tubes with Emitter • Supply line with “punched in” spaghetti tubes • Fertilizer solution applied to the surface of the growing medium • Foliage remains dry

26. Spaghetti Tubes with Emitter

27. Dribble Ring Emitter

28. The End