Will automatic solar irrigation replace my watering can?
12.6.2020
Translation: machine translated
Why water simply when you can make it complicated? Gardena's automatic solar watering system is a bit of a fiddle at first - but in the end it's very practical.
When I'm working from home, I'm happy if I can water my balcony plants manually to bring some variety into my everyday life. As soon as I'm back in the office and on holiday, that's a thing of the past. Then my plants are threatened with drought death. Let's see if the solar-powered Gardena Aqua Bloom Set is their saviour.
My balcony greenery still consists of three tiny tomato plants. So there are actually only three terracotta pots. Reason enough to install a small solar irrigation system. As well as being independent of the power grid, the Gardena Aqua Bloom Set does not require a water connection. A bucket or large watering can is all you need. Sounds good to me.
The small set consists of an irrigation controller, batteries, a 20 metre long distribution pipe, eight T-pieces, 20 drippers, a filter, sealing caps and 15 holders that resemble spanners. There is also an instruction manual. Whereby operating instructions is a big word for two A5 pages of half-comprehensible pictures, supplemented by a few words on safety, disposal and warranty. If you're not much good with paper anyway, you can use the QR code to watch a video on commissioning.
Eight hours in the blazing sun
The first thing I do is insert the rechargeable batteries into the control unit. Even then, I'm almost reaching my limits. I can't get the cover off the compartment without a screwdriver. With the screwdriver, I almost break off the tab, but everything turns out fine. However, I probably couldn't repeat the exercise. As soon as the batteries are in, I place the control unit with the rotary knob on "OFF" in a sunny spot for the next eight hours: it's time to recharge my batteries.
Then I can lay the distribution pipe. The first stage leads from the control unit to the first plant. I measure the distance between the two and cut the tube straight through at the right point. One end goes to the "OUT" connection of the control unit, the other to a dripper. From this dripper it goes to the next one in the neighbouring pot. If you have two rows of plants or they are spread out all over the place, you can build several paths using the T-pieces. In my case, this is not necessary as all the tomatoes grow close together.
A little more flexibility would be nice
What I quickly notice negatively is the stiff, thin tube. It can hardly be shaped, but follows its own path. I have to adapt the drippers and holders to the pipe sections, not the other way round. No sooner have I placed a dripper perfectly on one tomato plant than it twists again on the next. As my soil is relatively loose and light, the brackets don't stick very firmly, which makes the whole endeavour even more difficult. I would have found it easier to install with a flexible hose. By hook or by crook, all the drippers were eventually placed. For the last one, I put a very short piece of hose on the outlet and seal it with a cap.
Rain on me
Now all that remains is to connect the control unit and bucket. One end of the cut section is connected to the "IN" connection, the other to the filter, which I place in the filled bucket. A total of 14 different programmes can be selected on the main module. You define the frequency (every 12, 24, 48 or 72 hours) and the duration (between 10 and 35 minutes) of the watering unit. I start with 15 minutes a day.
As soon as the programme is selected, a green light flashes and the watering process begins - provided the batteries are charged. If the light flashes orange, the battery is running low and you should look for a sunnier spot for the control unit. Watering works quite well apart from a leak at the sealing cap. I probably messed something up during installation, because it works with a new piece of pipe. However, I realise that 15 minutes is a bit too short, the plants are barely more than wet with water. I increase it to 25 minutes for the next day. I'm happy with that.
Conclusion
An irrigation system is not normally necessary for three small tomato plants, especially when I'm working from home. As soon as I am hardly at home again during the day or even on holiday, the Gardena Aqua Bloom is worth the money. As long as there is enough sunshine on the solar panel and enough water in the bucket, I shouldn't have to worry about anything. The only thing that spoilt my mood was the rigid distribution pipe during installation. On the other hand, the package contents are clear, the setup is logical and the watering is reliable.
My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.
