The 1 GPH with 1/4" inlet and outlet inline drip emitter work best in a pressure range of 15 to 20 PSI. This drip emitter can be used with 1/4" micro tubing as the main line. The drip emitter can be installed by cutting the micro tubing and inserting the drip emitter into the 1/4" micro tubing in a spacing of 10 to 12" apart and up.
|+ 1||$0.36 ea.|
|+ 101||$0.34 ea.|
|+ 501||$0.32 ea.|
The non PC model D051, .5-GPH and D052, 1-GPH are in-line drip emitters with 1/4" barb inlet and outlet. They are suitable for use in planter boxes, containers and with vegetable planters. Use this drip emitter with 1/4" micro tubing as the main line and install the emitter where required. The inline drip emitter perform perfectly well in a short run only, try not to place the emitters closer than 9” inches apart.
Water movement in the soil:
When using drip emitters it is important to select the correct flow rate in order to achieve the right wetted pattern shape. In sandy soil, water tends to drain quickly (gravitational force) with little lateral movement, so applying a higher flow rate over a given time period will produce a wider pattern. Using point source irrigation with .5 GPH drip emitters for one hour will provide a smaller wetted area then using 1 GPH for the same time, due to the soil characteristics.
About drip irrigation sometime known as micro irrigation or trickle irrigation:
Drip irrigation or micro irrigation is the slow application of water directly to the plants' root zone in a predetermined pattern. Drip irrigation can be use to maintain optimum moisture level in the soil at all times that will results in less water lost to the sun and the wind. No water is wasted on non-growth areas, and the root zone is maintained at its ideal moisture level, combining the proper balance of water and air for a very efficient irrigation system. One of the most important features of a drip irrigation system is the creation of a totally new and more favorable root zone environment within the planting. Drip irrigation sustains this environment by using low flow rates to maintain constant soil moisture levels. This encourages better growth and disease resistance by reducing plant stress.
To water a diverse selection of plant sizes in planter boxes, containers and with vegetable plantersthe option below can be utilized:
For maximum system expansion using a 1/4" micro tubing, and to better control the system’s total flow rate, you can use the .5 or 1 GPH (gallons per hour) drip emitter. We recommend using drip emitters with the same flow rate to irrigate the same sizes planter boxes or containers. For example a 4’ long x1’ wide container with vegetable plants, installed the same flow drip emitter every 9-12” apart. To increase the amount of water applied to a larger plants, simply add more drip emitter or increase the watering time, this drip irrigation method provides the plant with a larger wetted area to cover a larger section of the plant root zone. By adjusting irrigation time, the right amount of water can then be applied evenly to all the plants.
· Suggested number of drippers per plant:
o Planters with small plants in close spacing: use a .5-GPH dripper every 9".
o Planters with plants up to 1’ high use one .5-GPH dripper per plant.
o Planters with large plants with up to 2’ high use one 1-GPH dripper per plant or spaced the drip emitter every 9-12”.
How much time to water: Turn the water on for 5 to 10 minutes, and check the system. If you need less or more water adjust the watering time. The goal is that all the potted plants and planters boxes regardless of size will drain at the same time. If you use an automatic controller, program the irrigation controller for about 2 to 4 minutes less than the time the planter boxes start to drain. Run the system every one or two days, depending on the soil type and the location. Check the planter’s boxes once a week and adjust the irrigation time as needed.