Wrong blumat?

[ShellzShuff3]

I bought a pack of blumats, but I think I got the wrong ones. These look like they're for pot-plants etc. (not adjustable top and can't be daisy-chained).

Anyone used this type? One per pot?

Or maybe I should just use these for pot plants and get the one with the adjustable dripper etc.

 

[Madmick]

Similar but different. Show us the connection

 

[itchybro]

yeah use them for your house plants , they are blumat classics
the ones you want https://easyasorganics.com.au/product/blumat-medium-starter-kit/
bunnings have them as well but under a diff name , i can't find them on the site at the mo

 

[DosFish]

I use those classic ones which I make shift connected to a 25lt water drum out side my tent. Works ok but the dripper ones look better. They sell the dripper ones on catch.com under brand name Maze, cheapest I seen online. I think Bunnings stop stocking them.

 

[Pikey]

https://www.theserratededge.com/forum/threads/next-grow.1060/post-88886

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[veritas629]

I used that type of Bluemat for a couple grows. There are wo major differences between those (Classic) and the kind many people like us are using (Tropf). #1 No daisy chaining, each "carrot's" feed line must be in the reservoir. #2 They don't seem to have a valve for controlling the water, just a continuous slow release of water. I put three in each 25L soil pot and ran all the feed lines back to reservoir. For reservoirs I used plastic jerry cans from bunnings and each plant had it's own. They worked well, including a 2.5wk trip out of town and no babysitter. You can control the water release somewhat by changing the rez's elevation relative to the carrot (higher up = faster; close to even height = slow; lower than the carrot = nothing, because you're working up hill).

 

[itchybro]

I used that type of Bluemat for a couple grows. There are wo major differences between those (Classic) and the kind many people like us are using (Tropf). #1 No daisy chaining, each "carrot's" feed line must be in the reservoir. #2 They don't seem to have a valve for controlling the water, just a continuous slow release of water. I put three in each 25L soil pot and ran all the feed lines back to reservoir. For reservoirs I used plastic jerry cans from bunnings and each plant had it's own. They worked well, including a 2.5wk trip out of town and no babysitter. You can control the water release somewhat by changing the rez's elevation relative to the carrot (higher up = faster; close to even height = slow; lower than the carrot = nothing, because you're working up hill).

i had a play with the classics as well @veritas629 did pretty much the same as you , each plant had it's own reservoir , i was in bigger pots which i used more classics than you but i didn't have much luck using them , it was outdoor not indoor which might have made a difference i guess , i'm assuming you were indoor , i just couldn't find a happy spot for them , just kept chasing my tail round with plants that were happy one minute & not the next

 

[veritas629]

You're on the mark, I was using a tent indoors. Which means my environment was relatively stable. I'm not sure they would have worked as well outside with variable weather. Positioning the rez became a hassle and I ended up giving some to a mate with a gazillion house plants. I may try Blumat again, but it will be the Tropf version next time.

I've also tried a 3rd type of Blumat, I think they were called "Easy". These are pretty simple and quite useful for short trips away from home. The Easy has the "carrot" and a green plastic top, no hoses/tubing at all. That top perfectly fits into a typical single-use plastic water bottle (e.g. Mt Franklin, Danani, etc). The water leaches out slowly, just like the Classics that this thread started with, but your rez is that water bottle. Max volume is about 1.5L, but this is plenty when you use one per plant for a weekend away. Or just a little insurance during a heatwave. When I emptied the pots after harvest, using both the Easy and Classic, there was a big root balls around the carrots. So they do work, but I suggest multiple per plant to spread the roots around.

I think Blumats are great if you have a plant babysitter, because that person doesn't have to know anything about gardening. They just have to check the rez and fill it when needed.

 

[veritas629]

I do have a question for anyone who's use the Tropf Blumats, which are the one I haven't used yet. Are they adjustable? Meaning can I decide if I want my plants lightly watered vs heavily watered? I think the answer is yes, but I don't want to find out the expensive way. I want to setup the Tropf to keep the plants watered, but on the drier end of the spectrum. I hand water in liquid organic ferts, microbes, teas, etc. If the plant is fully watered, at least once of week I would be over-watering with the watery fert & microbes mixture. I'd prefer the Tropfs just give the minimum water to keep the plants happy and allow me to go away. My hand watering mixture would make up the difference to "fully" watered.

 

[Tugboat]

https://www.theserratededge.com/forum/threads/next-grow.1060/post-88886

Moisture Sensing Watering Kit 9340158002718 | eBay

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Yeah I was looking to add this to water my circa 200ltr / 1mx1m planter … thinking the 12 carrots/droppers would provide the coverage I need for the bed - fitted to rez with a couple of air stones running … to help automate a bit, get more even coverage than hand watering; and most importantly, allow it to run by itself for a week or so if needed

 

[veritas629]

I'm in a similar position Tug, ~200L 1*1m planter and considering the 12x carrot system. Usually do 4x or 6x plants in roughly the same positions. I've got a 100L rez gathering dust and that should keep the plants going longer than I would want to leave them. Lemme know if you get it setup first, maybe I can learn something from your experience...

 

[Tugboat]

I'm in a similar position Tug, ~200L 1*1m planter and considering the 12x carrot system. Usually do 4x or 6x plants in roughly the same positions. I've got a 100L rez gathering dust and that should keep the plants going longer than I would want to leave them. Lemme know if you get it setup first, maybe I can learn something from your experience...

For sure - next diary i do should have it in place … just waiting for this heat to drop back a bit before I do another diarised run

 

[itchybro]

I do have a question for anyone who's use the Tropf Blumats, which are the one I haven't used yet. Are they adjustable? Meaning can I decide if I want my plants lightly watered vs heavily watered? I think the answer is yes, but I don't want to find out the expensive way. I want to setup the Tropf to keep the plants watered, but on the drier end of the spectrum. I hand water in liquid organic ferts, microbes, teas, etc. If the plant is fully watered, at least once of week I would be over-watering with the watery fert & microbes mixture. I'd prefer the Tropfs just give the minimum water to keep the plants happy and allow me to go away. My hand watering mixture would make up the difference to "fully" watered.

the idea , as i understand blumats is the consistency they offer , if the weather warms up & the plant consumes more the carrots will drip more & V a V in cooler temps & plants consume less carrots drip less
what you want to do @veritas629 will be all in the setup i reckon , I would also say they aren't really adjustable as such after setup without a bit of messing round

if you want the media to be on the drier side but serficiant to keep plants & soil life moisture in a happy range , it would be beneficial to setup in that range to begin with , i think the use of the moister meter will help with this along with some trial & error

again my understanding , where ever you start the soil moisture level wise is where blumats will keep it , this is where you need to play round with the meter , just guessing here but i'd suggest you prob want a range somewhere between 120 to 150 but i guess what you really want to know is what number tips you over the edge of not enough so you can dial it back to just enough


i'm sure this question has been asked b4 , you could probably reach out to sustainable village in the US who seem to be the experts with blumats & canna


anyway good luck if you do go with there meter i'd love to hear what numbers worked for you

 

[ShellzShuff3]

I used that type of Bluemat for a couple grows. There are wo major differences between those (Classic) and the kind many people like us are using (Tropf). #1 No daisy chaining, each "carrot's" feed line must be in the reservoir. #2 They don't seem to have a valve for controlling the water, just a continuous slow release of water. I put three in each 25L soil pot and ran all the feed lines back to reservoir. For reservoirs I used plastic jerry cans from bunnings and each plant had it's own. They worked well, including a 2.5wk trip out of town and no babysitter. You can control the water release somewhat by changing the rez's elevation relative to the carrot (higher up = faster; close to even height = slow; lower than the carrot = nothing, because you're working up hill).

Thanks mate - oh that's awesome to know they're still usable. Jerry cans is a fantastic idea for resovoir.

I use those classic ones which I make shift connected to a 25lt water drum out side my tent. Works ok but the dripper ones look better. They sell the dripper ones on catch.com under brand name Maze, cheapest I seen online. I think Bunnings stop stocking them.

Awesome - might check out those ones. Thanks Dogfish and everyone else too for input.

 

[veritas629]

the idea , as i understand blumats is the consistency they offer , if the weather warms up & the plant consumes more the carrots will drip more & V a V in cooler temps & plants consume less carrots drip less
what you want to do @veritas629 will be all in the setup i reckon , I would also say they aren't really adjustable as such after setup without a bit of messing round

if you want the media to be on the drier side but serficiant to keep plants & soil life moisture in a happy range , it would be beneficial to setup in that range to begin with , i think the use of the moister meter will help with this along with some trial & error

again my understanding , where ever you start the soil moisture level wise is where blumats will keep it , this is where you need to play round with the meter , just guessing here but i'd suggest you prob want a range somewhere between 120 to 150 but i guess what you really want to know is what number tips you over the edge of not enough so you can dial it back to just enough


i'm sure this question has been asked b4 , you could probably reach out to sustainable village in the US who seem to be the experts with blumats & canna


anyway good luck if you do go with there meter i'd love to hear what numbers worked for you

You've got it on the mark about what I'm hoping to do. My understanding of what you said, and combined with some reading, sounds about right. I should set up the dripper when my soil is just right (i.e. dry, but still okay) and from there it will drip when the soil gets too dry. I'm sure there will be some trial & error, but I enjoy this kinda fiddling. Good bonding with the plants!

 

[Donothing-garden]

Pro tip... You can calibrate Tropf Blumat without putting the carrot in the soil and it's super accurate. Once you've dialled down the cap until there's a hanging drip, that's the zero mbar point. mark that point and attach to carrot in bucket. Now insert in soil, connect to water supply. From that point simply dial down 1 or 2 triangles which will keep moisture pressure at 100 to 120mbar. Removes the variable introduced from trying to calibrate in soil that just isn't setup right.

 

[veritas629]

Thanks for the tip DNG, that sounds like good goat thinking. And Tugboat, we're now in an unofficial race with a finish line of a perfectly watered garden! I ordered a 12-pack and the digital meter. I've got seedlings in small pots that will be transferred to the main bed soon. So it's as good a time as any to set them up.

 

[itchybro]

Pro tip... You can calibrate Tropf Blumat without putting the carrot in the soil and it's super accurate. Once you've dialled down the cap until there's a hanging drip, that's the zero mbar point. mark that point and attach to carrot in bucket. Now insert in soil, connect to water supply. From that point simply dial down 1 or 2 triangles which will keep moisture pressure at 100 to 120mbar. Removes the variable introduced from trying to calibrate in soil that just isn't setup right.

thanks mate

not sure i really understand what your doing but when i finally get in a position to setup a grow again I'll be in touch to ask for some clarity , i'm probably just having a vague day

 

[Tugboat]

Thanks for the tip DNG, that sounds like good goat thinking. And Tugboat, we're now in an unofficial race with a finish line of a perfectly watered garden! I ordered a 12-pack and the digital meter. I've got seedlings in small pots that will be transferred to the main bed soon. So it's as good a time as any to set them up.

Mine are on their way too … but might be a bit before I’ll be employing them

 

[Donothing-garden]

So in short, I was at the soil life summit in Nevada City last weekend and Sustainable Village revealed some great new processes to use with Blumats. The major one was making sure that all Blumat carrots are starting from zero mbar, you dial the hanging drip on the cap only, then attach the ceramic cone, then insert into soil and further dial down by 1 to 2 carrots. This will ensure they are all calibrated the same... Avoid touching the sensors at all and instead you can adjust flow and thus dry/wet cycles by increasing or decreasing water pressure. With gravity it simply means running your res higher or lower. Then U never have to touch the sensors, chasing that perfect moisture level again.