I grow my potted citrus (19 varieties) with open hydroponics and yes, drip or micro-emitter irrigation can be very effective. That said, you've got to be laser focused on your trees because automated irrigation is also a very good method to kill your citrus deader than a hammer. You've got to re-evaluate everything...container, potting media, root-stock, nutrition... I'll be more than happy to share my experiences (successes and failures) with you if you're serious about the exercise... Best, skinn30a

Hi Teeka: I just recently installed a drip/micro system and still have some of the receipts. Our home came with an inground sprinkler system but in the interest of saving water and selectively watering flowers, I just installed the drip system. Initially I bought 1/2" poly with in line drippers. However, it's stiffer and I found I had gaps because the "bends" had to be large to make turns, etc. But, all is not lost. I've since bought regular 1/2" poly and drippers and misters to use with it. Where there's a gap that I want to remedy in the in-line dripper system, I've just added misters or extra in-line drippers and am happy. I'm using components of the "Mister Landscaper" system available at Lowes because there is a Lowe's very near me and, as expected, I've had to run back there for "more" of various parts. Ignoring the poly with inline drippers, let's say I started with just regular 1/2" poly (which is what I did convert to). I ran this from my water source around my house just laying it on top of the ground (my beds are along the house). I didn't want to blow out the drippers because of high pressure and wanted to keep the line clean so the drippers wouldn't clog, so at the head of the line I installed a filter (about $10) and a 25 PSI pressure regulator ($7.56). Whereever I wanted to water a plant I either installed an inline dripper ($7.56 for a package of 10) or a stake assembly ($3.13) with a small full circle spinning mister ($3.77 for 5). The stake assemblies are above ground and come with a small amount of 1/4" poly so you can attach them to the 1/2" poly feeder line. There were places where I needed more 1/4" poly line than was provided on the stake assembly so I bought a small roll of 1/4" vinyl tubing (? price) and connectors (again, receipt gone) to extend the secondary line and place the stake where it was needed. The stake assemblies do not come with any type of mister so you must buy these separately. There are various types (depending on the spray pattern you wish). The one thing I did which I would advise against was being too quick to mulch so as to "finish" the job. It's easy to see where the elevated misters are watering because the mulch is wet. But the inline drippers and their wet area are covered by mulch so I've had to probe through the mulch to find the drippers and see where it's wet. I should have waited on the mulch, run the system and evaluated the water pattern, corrected whatever needed correcting, and then mulched. I did not attach a timer to the system, thinking I would just turn it on when the plants needed it. However, now that I'm going to be away for several days I'm sorry. I'll revert to the regular in ground system to keep my garden alive. When I return from my trip, I think adding a timer will be in the cards. Home Depot also has these type systems from DIG corporation. Their web site is http://www.digcorp.com I also read that irrigation supply stores have components for drip systems. I didn't do comparison shopping. I hope that the gas money I saved by only having to go to the nearer store, compensated for whatever I may have saved elsewhere. June Here is a link that might be useful: Mister Landscaper

Thanks Mike, I am asking mainly on a schedule because I will be leaving from may 18th - july 7th. Any other time I will probably cap the irrigation tubes and just use the hose since like you said I can just monitor better that way, or atleast until I feel the trees are healthy again. Another issue is that my drip lines are all hooked up to the same line which connect to bells of fire plans, palm trees, and the citrus trees. I just talked to the nursery where I got the plants from and they said while I'm gone it would be fine to water my tree every 3 days on a drip with about 20 gallons worth of water? After I get back I can go back to monitoring it. So if I mulch, could I drip 20 gallons every 3 days?

Hi, I want to use this sensor for my citrus trees drip irrigated. the recommended depth for citrus is 24 inches to 30 inches. Does anyone have any idea if the Rainbird SMRT-Y Moisture Sensor can be placed at this depth? and if it can be applied for this kind of project. I've searched various forums with no result... (the only thing i found is that this sensor is used for turf) Thanks