Capillary bench system of watering

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32660, 16 July 1971, Page 11

Capillary bench system of watering

The management of plants under the capillary bench system of watering differs from the traditional methods , usually employed. Plastic pots with many drainage holes in the base are the best types of containers, the so-called tubes being a good example. Clay pots can be used but are less efficient. Pots should not exceed Bin in depth, for above that size water up-take on a hot day may not recompense for that lost by evaporation and transpiration. No crocks or roughage are used in any kind of containers. Soil composts are the best media in which to grow plants. Those soil-less composts that contain sand are nearly as good but those based solely on peat take very much more managing. In spite of the soil in the pots being continuously fed by water it does not become water logged unless the loam has a very high clay content, or if potting is exceptionally hard. Some composts may benefit from the addition of extra sand, which may also , assist in raising some plants imore easily.

After potting, plants should be watered and allowed to drain before being transferred to the bench. The pots should be pushed downwards and given a twist so that they become embeded and the sand comes into contact with the soil in the pot. Eventually roots will grow through these holes, when the pot is given another twist to wrench them free.

As the water > s extracted from the soil by the plant it is immediately replaced by capillary attraction from that held by the sand on the bench. Because the water moves only upwards there is no loss of mineral nutrients in drainage water as happens in traditional watering. Plants, therefore, can stay in their pots longer without suffering from malnutrition. Feeding necessary

Even so feeding will become necessary at some time. This cannot be applied via soil or sand because of the probable rapid build-up of algae, which will soon cover everything. Similar results will eventually occur on the bench if the plants

are continuously watered by hand. Feeding should take place through the leaves. Aerosols now on the market make this form of feeding a relatively simple matter. When plants are growing slowly, the level of water in the sand can be lowered by means of a valve.

If plants require a break from watering the water supply to the cups can be disconnected. Sideways water movement can be prevented by inserting a strip of polythene under the sand and bringing it to the surface, so erecting a barrier. All kinds of plants can be grown on a capillary bench — fems, orchids, cacti, glasshouse plants, hardy plants, even annuals and shrubs, all on the same bench. Such benches are well suited to meet propagation requirements of a wide range of cuttings, particularly hairy, leaved plants and those which dislike continuously wet foliage. Those seeds which suffer greatly if allowed to dry out during germination are safe on capillary benches. Only some of the more difficult subjects may give trouble and these are best given mist treatment.

There seems to be no adverse effect on plants if they are taken from capillary bench to a different environment or if hard watering is later substituted.

The capillary bench system of watering has its major application in the commercial field but there is no reason why the system cannot be applied with equal facility but on a smaller scale in the back-yard greenhouse. Just think of it—you could go away on holidays at any time secure on the knowledge that all the precious house plants will safely survive your absence without any supervision.