bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Drip system + timer = happy trees

Jason, for what it's worth...
I used an automated system for a number of years, while living in the heat and humidity of Miami, Florida. It worked well for me, using an overhead mist system (drip was something of a "new thing" back then -- early '70s), and it would come on for approximately 15 minutes (the shortest period that my timer would allow) 2 or 3 times a day. (I would change the number from time to time.) I had approximately 35 trees in various stages of development, but all were planted in what you might think of as a "dense" soil, compared to what you're using. I had healthy trees, with no root rot problems, with the benches and trees sitting in full sun throughout the day.

The converse of this situation was as several others warn: automation tends to lead to becoming unobservant, and within a period of a busy few days for me, the system DID fail, and I lost my entire collection. That began my "withdrawal" from the activity for a very long time, and it's only been in the last few years that I've begun to rebuild. I still grieve at the thought of a boxwood that I purchased as a semi-developed bonsai from Brother Paul, at BosaiMonk, back in the "early days". Sigh. Also several very nice Black Pine, among others. It was a very sad day...and months, following that short lack of attention on my part. You must be vigilant, and the automation can never replace regular care on your part. Bonsai are a responsibility as much as children or pets, and you can lose a great deal of time, not to mention "friends", should you forget that.

Good luck!

19-May-2006	#26
shibui Long-time Beginner Join Date: May-2006 Location: south Georgia Country: USA Posts: 3	Be Optimistic...it DOES work! Jason, for what it's worth... I used an automated system for a number of years, while living in the heat and humidity of Miami, Florida. It worked well for me, using an overhead mist system (drip was something of a "new thing" back then -- early '70s), and it would come on for approximately 15 minutes (the shortest period that my timer would allow) 2 or 3 times a day. (I would change the number from time to time.) I had approximately 35 trees in various stages of development, but all were planted in what you might think of as a "dense" soil, compared to what you're using. I had healthy trees, with no root rot problems, with the benches and trees sitting in full sun throughout the day. The converse of this situation was as several others warn: automation tends to lead to becoming unobservant, and within a period of a busy few days for me, the system DID fail, and I lost my entire collection. That began my "withdrawal" from the activity for a very long time, and it's only been in the last few years that I've begun to rebuild. I still grieve at the thought of a boxwood that I purchased as a semi-developed bonsai from Brother Paul, at BosaiMonk, back in the "early days". Sigh. Also several very nice Black Pine, among others. It was a very sad day...and months, following that short lack of attention on my part. You must be vigilant, and the automation can never replace regular care on your part. Bonsai are a responsibility as much as children or pets, and you can lose a great deal of time, not to mention "friends", should you forget that. Good luck!