Flower care

Irrigation The two main types of irrigation systems are overhead and trickle. Overhead watering is cheaper and easier to install than trickle systems, but overhead is an inefficient use of water. Trickle systems have less run-off and more water reaches the roots because less is lost through evaporation and contact with leaves and flowers. As a result, plants irrigated via a trickle system tend to have lower incidence of disease and lodging because the leaves and flowers don’t get soaked with every irrigation. Trickle watering is best suited for longer term crops. Plants should never be irrigated close to dusk; wet foliage combined with the cooler night temperatures are perfect conditions for disease inoculation and spread. It’s best to start irrigation in the early morning to allow foliage to dry before nightfall. Irrigation frequency depends upon the temperature and the crop requirements. Irrigation must be done often enough to prevent water stress. Wilting should not be your indicator of when to water because the resulting stress can decrease production. A general rule of thumb is 2.5 centimetres of water per week, but the amount required is affected by the crop, irrigation system, rainfall, temperature and soil structure. These factors will determine whether it is more practical to soak the soil and apply a certain volume per week or to apply small, frequent irrigations throughout the week