watering plants in the greenhouse environment

Question 1

name some watering methods in a greenhouse

Answer 1

hosepipe
watering can

specialised irrigation systems;
capillary benches
drip and trickle systems
soaker hoses

Question 2

how do capillary benches work?

Answer 2

a deep bench is lined with black plastic and filled with washed sand.

Sand is 8cm deep so it is kept moist with a tank of water that continually supplies it.

Very useful if you have a large number of plants needing watering.

Pots must have holes in base so the compost comes into contact with the bench sand and can absorb moisture.

Question 3

What can you used apart from sand on a capillary bench?

Answer 3

capillary mats - a synthetic material similar to carpet under-lay, they hold onto water and is a form of sub-irrigation.

Question 4

what is a benefit of sub-irrigation?

Answer 4

plant foliage remains dry so risk of fungal disease is reduced

over-watering is avoided

can suffer from algal growth but this is controlled by spraying the bench surface with an algaecide

Question 5

Explain the drip and trickle irrigation system

Answer 5

spaghetti tubes!

small pipes with finer tubes with nozzles supply water to individual plants.

Can turn system on/off with times clocks

Used on a larger scale and to water containerised trees in nurseries.