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Vacation and drip irrigation

7 years ago

On May 17 I'm headed for a month long trip and agonizing over 57 plumeria and citrus in containers in my basement greenhouse. Have a nice man to house sit and care for my animals. He's excellent with the pets which is most important to me, but not so good with plants. So installing drip irrigation on a timer. Things will only be sparingly watered once a week and it has a fertilizer injector for FP. Not optimal but the best I can think of doing short of turning off the grow lights and letting go dormant. Did consider that.

You've all taught me that plumeria generally seem to survive despite most catastrophes. Spending a month between Tahiti and Hawaii so hope to return with lots of new cuttings if I lose some plants.

Any suggestions you can offer for vacation concerns sure appreciate.

Nancy

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Comments (4)

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the_first_kms2
7 years ago
Sounds like a great trip. I think you should be just fine with the setup described for irrigation. I would have your house sitter check the timer once per week to ensure there was not a battery failure. It may be overkill but it's for your own piece of mind while enjoying some time away to place a fresh set of replacement batteries right next to the timer and instructions on how to reset or manually trigger the timer.
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Nancy thanked the_first_kms2
bossyvossy
7 years ago
If all goes well, I think the system should work just fine. But things that have happened to us in absentia are:

plugged emitters

power failure that mess up the timer

for long trips, like a month, we get new emitters and say a prayer for no (or short) power outage. Emitters are cheap. I have had plants die due to blocked emitters.

good trip and good luck with plumies.
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Nancy thanked bossyvossy
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Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
7 years ago
Hi Nancy!!!

It sounds like you have it all under control!! I like the idea of him checking the timer and having replacement batteries near.

Please enjoy your vacation and relax knowing your animals and Plumeria are in good hands!!!

Have a great time!!!

Laura
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Nancy thanked Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
Nancy
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks K, Bossy and Laura....

We do have power losses a fair amount so probably wise to have him watch the whole setup. Will keep those batteries handy.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and encouragement :)

Tried to set up the first drip kit for tomatoes and failed with leaks in two places on the head assembly. Waiting for those pieces and now tackling the plumeria setup.

Nancy
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