These simple yet ingenious valves were designed to simply irrigate soil grown plants with plain water - extensive trials over several years has found these valves to be excellent for applying nutrient solution to plants being grown in pots - baskets etc, in substrate medias such as peat/ pumice and in fact any inert medium providing there is sufficient contact between the media and the water filled clay probe.
(See working example in the page Rob Smith's Gardens)

The clay probe is filled with fresh water and the top screwed down to form an airtight seal, water then migrates through the porous clay probe into the dryer growing media and is it does so it draws an internal vacuum in the probe which opens the control valve. As irrigation brings the media to the desired wetness, the water molecules start returning back into the clay probe - reducing the vacuum thus shutting off the water/nutrient control valve. A fully automatic irrigation system that can be set by the grower to achieve the optimum media moisture level.
 

In line dripper
(end -terminal dripper also available)
Several of theses can be placed in series to allow the even irrigation of larger areas, but controlled by one Blumat valve.

Long stem Valve
(Maxi dripper)
Allows the measuring section to be inserted to a deeper level in the media

Standard Tropf Blumat valve

Blumat bottle probe is designed to fit into a plastic bottle with a range of aperture sizes and works in a similar way to the pot probe

Blumat probe for irrigating small pots - as the liquid passes by osmosis through the clay walls of the probe a vacuum is draw within the probe sucking the liquid from the adjacent container - this vacuum decays as soon as the media is wet enough for good growing conditions.

The blumat system can be supplied from a gravity feed nutrient tank or if simply watering is required then a pressure reducing valve is fitted in line from the mains water supply tap.

We show a small selection of the available range of purpose made fittings and custom supply tubing.
A There is a selection of blister packs and bulk cartons of these items.

Bear in mind that we show only a sample of the range of Blumat products
Please ask us, detailing your requirement and we will provide you with additional information as applicable.

Unscrew the green watering head and then soak the ceramic cone in fresh water for a few minutes. Then fill the cone to the brim with fresh water

Screw the head back onto the cone firmly but do not strip the thread - seal should be airtight - for best results this operation can be carried out under water.

Submerse the complete sealed sensor in water for at least an hour - this will ensure that the ceramic material has fully absorbed the water and will release any internal pressure which may have built up during the sealing ptrocess

First wet the media until it is slightly wetter than desired - never place a probe into dry media. The upper edge of the ceramic cone should be about 1cm below the surfac of the media

Lay the supply tube to the sensors and cut it adjacent to a sensor. (use scissors or a sharp knife) Moisten the
'Tee' and force onto the tube - do not use any lubricant such as soap or grease and make sure the tee is in the correct position since moviong it later is not advised

The system should be fully completed before adjusting any sensors. Slowly close the adjustment screw by turning clockwise (right), until a single drop of water remains hanging on the end of the drip pipe. This "zero adjustment" is important, so that the sensor will automatically shut off when the media is sufficiently wet (for example, after the rain). Over the next few days you can refine this adjustment to achieve the desired moisture content of the media.

Prices
All these prices are subject to international exchange rates and therefore we request you advise us of your requirements and we will quote you supply including freight.