I was wondering if I could ask for some help in conducting some research for a university project. My group at Imperial College university and I are looking to develop an automatic solar powered greenhouse watering system, with the initial idea of having a moisture sensor and a feed pipe for water in each plant pot. When the soil moisture content drops below a certain level, water is automatically given to the plant. The system would require little or no attention for periods of up to a month, say while the gardener was on holiday.

This is a quick survey to find the opinions of gardeners on the project, as none of us have much experience with gardening.

1. Would a system as described above be potentially useful to you?
2. How many separate plants do you keep in your greenhouse? (roughly)
3. How big is your greenhouse?
4. Do you have plants of mostly the same type or which have the same water requirements, or a mixture of varieties?
5. How often do you water your plants?
6. On average, how much water would you give a medium sized potted plant each time you water it?
7. Do you add anything to the water used to water your plants? If so, what?
8. Do you have any general comments or suggestions for us about this project?

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this, any responses or suggestions would be very much appreciated!

-Susan Golton
Please feel free to contact us at susan.golton@imperial.ac.uk