Recommendations for indoor watering??

[Tums]

Finally got around to getting this started. Basically, just using an aquarium bulkhead fitting.

Draining into a bucket right now, but will add a utility pump to pump the overflow to a drain trap.

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The setup with the buckets is what I'm trying this year. Definitely beats having to move each plant to water it. I probably should have gotten those bulkhead filter/strainers though; lots of random leaves and media threatening to clog the tubes.

 

[luvinthemountains]

I would need a but load of buckets to do this.

I wonder, are people with a lot of waste water in their trays using hoses and/or watering cans? With my 2gal pump sprayer, any waste water gets evaporated from the trays before the next watering. I am already getting tired of hauling water, so I might have a spigot put in the garage, but then I might still use the pump sprayer to avoid the drainage problem.

 

[Tums]

I have a very heavy hand with the watering can.

 

[RJG2]

I wonder, are people with a lot of waste water in their trays using hoses and/or watering cans? With my 2gal pump sprayer, any waste water gets evaporated from the trays before the next watering. I am already getting tired of hauling water, so I might have a spigot put in the garage, but then I might still use the pump sprayer to avoid the drainage problem.

I have a very heavy hand with the watering can.

My home office is in the basement (where I've been 50+ hours a week for the past two and a half years...). It is also where my tropicals live.

I installed a spigot and use a regular hose and watering wand now...

 

[Dogestoevsky]

I solved my problem another way! Eliminated the trays and replaced with rigid bootstrap farmer mesh trays as mentioned by @Carol 83 above. Now, instead of having to move each plant individually, I can relocate a whole tray to a slop sink and water deeply with a watering can. The mesh screens out any media that would end up in the sink, and I just let them drain for a few seconds before returning the mesh flat to the shelves. Cut a tedious 30 minute job down to 10 minutes.

Still like the sprayer idea, but again it’s the drainage thing. I like the bulkhead + hose and bucket solution too.

 

[Carol 83]

Keeping a fan running really has eliminated my need to dump out excess water, thanks for reminding me @Flowerhouse !

 

[Tums]

My home office is in the basement (where I've been 50+ hours a week for the past two and a half years...). It is also where my tropicals live.

I installed a spigot and use a regular hose and watering wand now...

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I'm also right by the utility sink/water lines in the basement and thought about getting a spigot, but I try to use lukewarm water which I don't think is possible from a spigot connected to one line?

 

[RJG2]

I'm also right by the utility sink/water lines in the basement and thought about getting a spigot, but I try to use lukewarm water which I don't think is possible from a spigot connected to one line?

Not without an inline heater, but you can get a mixing spigot - I have one outside for when the kids want the kiddie pool filled, or don't want a freezing sprinkler to run through.

 

[Paradox]

Hmmm…mice around chew the corners out of the rubber seal….and then wiggle in right on top of a sticky trap. Gotcha.

Possible I suppose but I've never had it happen

 

[Paradox]

I wonder, are people with a lot of waste water in their trays using hoses and/or watering cans? With my 2gal pump sprayer, any waste water gets evaporated from the trays before the next watering. I am already getting tired of hauling water, so I might have a spigot put in the garage, but then I might still use the pump sprayer to avoid the drainage problem.

My tropical trees in the basement get some water in the trays since I do purposely water until I see it coming out of the bottom. On most trees it evaporates with the warmth from their lights by the next day most of the time. Sometimes there is a little in there but no big deal.

I've used a pump sprayer and measuring cups from a bucket or pitcher. Either way, I water until it comes out the bottom. The only issue I ever had with the pump sprayer is overspray getting the wall wet. I stopped using a sprayer because of that.

When I kept trees in my garage, the water would just run out the bottom to the floor ( or another plant on the shelf below it)

 

[penumbra]

I need 50 feet of hose to water all the plants in my basement. I just put this together and I love it. The pattern is from a stream to a very gentle mist.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TS2YM2X?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TS2YM2X?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YTZ8BF5?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TKR9KRY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Right now I am using the faucet on my utility sink so I can mix the water for cold/hot. Soon I will have all the parts for watering from a pump in my 40 gallon holding tank at room temperature. This water is constantly agitated and I add about a cup of peroxide every couple of weeks to keep things nice and fresh.

My experience with Bootstrap farmer tray is the same. I am using the 46 inch long trays primarily and water never sits in them for over 24 hours. However, I do like the idea of bulkhead fittings for the purpose of flooding the trays or for heavy handed watering. And even for cleaning these large trays in place. I have a few from my aquarium days but I really like these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08952VSLF/?coliid=I1UVRHP6YTX05D&colid=1TV3GOD6PP0QW&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

These are probably in my near future. I may end up with one at each end of these longer trays.

 

[RJG2]

No more bucket.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Elevated plastic tray in the tent . Drilled for a pipe drain gravel in tray . Trees on gravel conservatory water can . Haws of England make a nice one . Water till your hearts content gravel increases ambient humidity . Excess drains away . Above system refillable water reservoir . Raised above the tent any number of rose . Water nozzle . Modified sink sprayer . On end if a rubber hose gravity feed . Micro irrigation systems multiple gravity feed systems avail easy to adapt . 1/8 “ feeder hose to short sections of soaker hoses fir each tree . Battery operated timer great for vacations . Or system I ysed in past . If you use a tent how many trees can you have . Plastic restaurant dish tray . Take all the trees to the bathtub in groups and water the hell out of them with a conventional bonsai water can A friend actually has his tropicals under lights . In the family main bathroom laundry room they love the boosted heat and humidity from showers and laundry

 

[RJG2]

Going to visit my sister in Chicago next week. Don't have a reliable waterer, so, last minute indoor auto watering system in place.

Had to make my own "drip tube" by poking holes considering the stuff I ordered only had holes every 6".

Doesn't saturate the whole pot super well, but it will get me through 6 days.