Vacations

Soildoc

As the holiday season approaches, I'm curious as to how to water the bonsai while on vacation. We'll be gone about a week, and the folks next door are worried they kill the trees so I'm looking for a few ideas. I had thought I might try some type of wicking thing or maybe just sit the pots in a container with shallow water. If anybody has any ideas, I'm open to any suggestions.

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KZitzewitz

When I worked at the garden center we had these pipes that ran water to these little plastic tubes which were slowly droping water into the plant, maybe 20 drops an hour, you might be able to set up a similar system and have the plants raised so all the waterdrains, and maybe ahave a few different options for those plants who like it a little more soggy, and those who like it on the dry side.

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--Kristopher

Bonsainut

Doc,
Talk to us about-
-Your location
-Your weather
-Your current watering pattern
-Soil type
-Sun exposure
-Any other pertinent details

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Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce

Jay

Soildoc..I have put my trees away for the winter, but during the summer I also had a vacation watering problem. I found that an automated system worked. I purchased (from Wal-Mart) in the garden dept a timer for a hose bib. Set it during the high temps for twice a day and in the cooler temps for once a day. Either way it was on for only 2-3 minutes. The timer sent water to a series of very thin pipes with either little water limiting valves or soaker type hose per plant. Now I know that auto watering can give you to much water all the time, but for just a week or two it is better than no water at all. Are there others with similar thoughts?

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Soildoc

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I was referring to my indoor stuff. That should help clarify things.

Soildoc, I've never tried it but have heard of people using a bucket of water placed above the trees for watering. You need to tear long strips of cotton cloth or rope and bury one end in the soil of your pots and place the other end into the bucket. Supposedly the wicking action will keep the soil just slightly damp.

Tony

Soildoc

Hmm, I hadn't thought of something like that. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

ripsgreentree

Doc: here is where you need to have a trained person who will take up the slack and pick up your watering duties for the time that you are on vacation. I have at least three persons that I can count on, I have them because I have trained them. I pay them well, at least twenty dollars a day. When ever I go on a trip for more than three days I have one of these persons watch my trees and water them. I have not lost any trees whal I have been on vacation. Each of these persons is over the age of 21 and one is family. I have tragic stories for all other watering techniques. It is not that they fail every time, but if they fail you have the trageity. This includes having an untrained person water your trees.
Good luck please train someone to care for your trees in your absence.

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ripsgreentree

It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.

Soildoc

Yeah, as I have thought about it, I'm pretty sure that's the way I'm going to go. My wife has a neighbor who's going to take care of the cats so I think I'll teach her how to water the bonsai. We aren't going to be gone very long, so it should only take one watering.

Thanks for everyone's input