DRAGON AGRO PRODUCTS

Hanging Planters & Liners Our hanging systems are the complete solution for softening the lines of any building. Planter liners complement any waterproofing system. Put our 25 years of experience putting plants on buildings to work for you.

NAME DESCRIPTION SIZES MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION NOTES             Flower Framer Windowboxes Easy-to-hang fiberglass windowboxes. The commercial-quality boxes set the industry standard for design & durability. 24" up to 144"L, 8.5"W x 9"H Pultruded fiberglass construction with hanging lip Improve any building's street appeal Flower Framer European Series Easy-to-hang fiberglass windowboxes. Similar in construction to the Flower Framers box, but smaller at a lower pricepoint. 24", 36", 48" & 60"L, 7"W x 6.5"H Pultruded fiberglass construction with hanging lip Quality doesn't have to be expensive! Flower Framer Accessories Brackets, drains, and other accessories for Flower Framers Boxes. for all Flower Framers boxes Parts & Accessories Stainless steel brackets for the life of the project. Coronado Boxes Easy-to-hang window boxes with built-in Manual container irrigation. Allows maintenance intervals up to 4x longer than hand-watered boxes. 24" up to 72"L, 8.5"W x 9"H Pultruded fiberglass construction with hanging lip Requires no irrigation plumbing CB AutoFill Boxes Easy-to-hang window boxes with built-in AutoFill automatic container irrigation. Requires low-pressure irrigation line to box. 24" up to 72"L, 8.5"W x 9"H Pultruded fiberglass construction with hanging lip Features removable planting liner for easy color changes Wilshire Box Planters Lightweight fiberglass hanging planters 12"w x 18"h up to 10’ long. Available with easy-to-hang pre-engineered flush-mount brackets, or flat for surface mounting. 24" to 120"L, 12"W x 18"H Fiberglass Construction Box, Powder coated brackets Turnkey system with AF AutoFill irrigation, may be customized. Wilshire Box 2 Planters Lightweight fiberglass hanging planters 18"w x 24"h up to 10’ long. Available with easy-to-hang pre-engineered flush-mount brackets, or flat for surface mounting. 24" to 120"L, 18"W x 24"H Fiberglass Construction Box, Powder coated brackets Turnkey system with AF AutoFill irrigation, may be customized. CWS Container Irrigation Planter Liners Dpuble-walled liners with container irrigation for low-maintenance applications, planter walls and assembled planters 24" to 72" long, 8" to 32" wide, to 17" deep Unibody leakproof liner Typically with overflow drains for exterior application. Thermoplastic Planter Liners Thermoplastic planter liners in a variety of materials and prices for any application. For use in long, pre-built planters of all types. standard products 24" to 72" long, 8" to 32" wide, to 17" deep Unibody leakproof liners in 4 different materials Custom solutions are our specialty Lancaster Box Planters Large, pre-engineered liner planter system for buildings and parking structures. Feature double-wall construction for light weight and durability 36" to 84"L x 24"w x 24"H Double-wall rotomolded polyethylene construction May be combined with AutoFill system for maintenance-free results

Flower Framer Windowboxes

Commercial-quality windowboxes featuring an easy-to-hang mounting system. Integral drainage system helps ensure spectacular color displays, increases the street appeal of any property.

Flower Framer Boxes have proven to be one of the most popular, versatile windowboxes on the market. We've manufactured them since 1994, and they've held up in thousands of applications since then. Durable, easy-to-hang, yet versatile and attractive, the Flower Framer box works in any climate. They are at home on high-end residences as well as commercial applications.

• Integral 1" drainage layer promotes drainage, prevents plants from sitting in water. Drainage holes are at both ends of the box, and may be sealed quickly and easily with included plugs.
• Commercial-grade durability – fiberglass bodies will not rot, corrode, or leak. Designed to last the life of the project. Painted in any of four standard colors (White, Black, Hunter Green or Slate Gray), or available in a variety of premium colors.
• Simple, flexible hanging system. – standard stainless steel brackets can be used in most situations, custom brackets designed for unique applications.
• Available in lengths from 24" up to 180" (continuous!). Interior dimensions support amazing flower displays in compact space.

Flower Framer European Series

Commercial-quality windowboxes featuring an easy-to-hang mounting system. Despite their small size, the flowers in the European Series can pack a punch! Integral drainage system helps ensure spectacular color displays.

Quality can still be affordable with the new European Series windowboxes.  Slightly smaller than our traditional Flower Framer boxes, they cost up to 40% less. They still feature the easy-to-hang bracket system and integral drainage system.  The commercial-quality fiberglass boxes, made from the same material used to make high-end windows, will last in any application in any climate.

The European Series windowbox hangs with a simple stainless steel bracket from an integrated hanging lip.  The brackets are designed for either wall-mount or rail-mount applications. The brackets can also be customized for unique applications.
                      
The boxes are delivered in 24”, 36”, 48” & 60” lengths, in a white finish.  The endcaps have been painted to resist yellowing.  All boxes include a ½” drainage mat and 2 drainage holes at each end.  The holes may be sealed with included plugs.

When measuring a window for a box, remember that window boxes look better and more balanced when they're a little wider than the actual window itself.  You can purchase a box the exact width of the window and it will still look fine.  But if you have shutters, measure from the left mid-shutter to the right mid-shutter (or at least 3" inches past the window on each side) for the best look.

* When paying by Money Order, Purchase Order, Check, . Please add Ground Shipping & handling to cost of products. Credit Card Add 3% to total. Inquire for discount schedule on volume purchases. Since we're a high volume distributor, we're passing the savings to you. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks lead time to process your order as these planters are made to order. Returns will not be honored unless the product is deemed defective by the manufacturer.

Minimum purchase is $100. NJ residents Please add required sales tax.

Flower Framer Accessories

CB AutoFill Boxes

The lowest-maitenance window box ever! The AutoFill automatic irrigation valve uses a low-pressure water line to keep flowers perfectly watered. The commercial-quality box will last for years on both commecial and residential applications.

CB AutoFill is the lowest-maintenance version of our windowbox system.  The box uses the AutoFill container irrigation system to deliver the convenience of automatic irrigation, but with the advantages of sub-irrigation. Each box is connected to a low-pressure water line and controlled by its own float valve, which adjusts the water level to provide the optimal moisture level to the flowers

See a detailed animation of the AutoFill system                                                    

The CB AutoFill windowbox has a removable internal liner, so that it may be mounted and easily cleaned without plants or flowers.  The liner may be easily planted off-site and transported to the jobsite.  The box is easy-to-hang, whether from a wall or over a rail. The practical design, minimal maintenance and durable construction make them an ideal solution for commercial applications like parking structures or hotels & resorts.

* When paying by Money Order, Purchase Order, Check, . Please add Ground Shipping & handling to cost of products. Credit Card Add 3% to total. Inquire for discount schedule on volume purchases. Since we're a high volume distributor, we're passing the savings to you. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks lead time to process your order as these planters are made to order. Returns will not be honored unless the product is deemed defective by the manufacturer.

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Minimum purchase is $100. NJ residents Please add required sales tax.

Wilshire Box Planters

The complete hanging planter solution for softening the lines of any building or parking structure. These well-proportioned boxes are available in a wide variety of colors, and can be customized for your specific needs.

Wilshire Boxes are the complete wall-mounted planter solution. The ingenious mounting brackets are attached to the wall using a template, and the boxes set onto the bracket and screwed into place. The mounting system disappears into the back of the planter. The simple fiberglass design highlights the plants, not the planter. The boxes, available in two different size ranges, are also available without the bracketing system for use on the floor or ground. For a turnkey wall-mounted planter system, utilize Planter Technology's AutoFill automatic or CWM Manual container irrigation system.

Features of the Wilshire Box System

• Unique bracketing system simplifies installation, allows for faster construction times.
• Commercial-grade durability – fiberglass bodies will not rot, corrode, or leak. Designed to last the life of the project. Gel coated any of Planter Technology's standard colors.
• Simple design doesn't take away from plants or architecture. Available either with bracket pockets for wall-mounting, or without for freestanding applications.
• Use either AutoFill automatic container irrigation or CWM Modular container irrigation for a complete maintenance package.

For Wilshire Boxes without bracket pockets, use part no. WBN-XX1218 and WB2N-XX1824. Intermediate sizes also available. Full weight includes brackets (6 lbs. ea. for WBB, 6.5 lbs. ea. for WB2B), soil estimated at 50 lbs/pcf.

* When paying by Money Order, Purchase Order, Check, . Please add Ground Shipping & handling to cost of products. Credit Card Add 3% to total. Inquire for discount schedule on volume purchases. Since we're a high volume distributor, we're passing the savings to you. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks lead time to process your order as these planters are made to order. Returns will not be honored unless the product is deemed defective by the manufacturer.

Minimum purchase is $100. NJ residents Please add required sales tax.

Wilshire Box 2 Planters

A larger version of our popular Wilshire Box hanging system for softening the lines of any building or parking structure. These well-proportioned boxes are available in a wide variety of colors, and can be customized for your specific needs.

Wilshire Boxes are the complete wall-mounted planter solution. The ingenious mounting brackets are attached to the wall using a template, and the boxes set onto the bracket and screwed into place. The mounting system disappears into the back of the planter. The simple fiberglass design highlights the plants, not the planter. The boxes, available in two different size ranges, are also available without the bracketing system for use on the floor or ground. For a turnkey wall-mounted planter system, utilize Planter Technology's AutoFill automatic or CWM Manual container irrigation system.

* When paying by Money Order, Purchase Order, Check, . Please add Ground Shipping & handling to cost of products. Credit Card Add 3% to total. Inquire for discount schedule on volume purchases. Since we're a high volume distributor, we're passing the savings to you. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks lead time to process your order as these planters are made to order. Returns will not be honored unless the product is deemed defective by the manufacturer.

Minimum purchase is $100. NJ residents Please add required sales tax.

Thermoplastic Planter Liners

Planter Technology has been one of the country's leading manufacturers of planter liners for over 20 years. We can solve nearly any problem with liners in any of 4 different materials. Let us help find the right solution for your pre-built planter application.

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) — Stress-Relieved Polypropylene (PP) — Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (PE) — Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (Fiberglass) — Flexible PVC Sheeting (PVC)

On-structure planters can pose difficult design problems, and if not done right, real long-term costs to the owner. Planter Technology has specialized in finding creative solutions for unique planter design challenges for over 20 years.

Our expertise in container irrigation and plastic fabrication comes from designing solutions for thousands of planters, in applications both small and large. We can provide you with typical planter liner installation details, and help resolve "design challenges" before they become long-term problems for the owner.

Planter Liner Materials and Application Guide
Liner Type	Application	Description
High Impact Polystyrene	General duty standard and custom liners for most small and medium size applications. Widest range of standard sizes, up to 72"l x 36"W x 17"D (see chart on reverse).	Unibody construction. Wall thickness typically .125-.250, depending on size and depth. Standard color is black. Painting and UV protection recommended for direct sun exposed exterior applications.
Linear Low Density Polyethylene	Used for custom large liners, and for large quantities. Makes exceptionally durable, long-term liners. Can also be used to create custom decorative planters, lightweight structural elements.	Unibody construction. Sizes up to 120"l x 48"W x 48"D. PE Liners finished to utility grade in black or gray. Not designed for decorative use. Factory design support strongly recommended.
Stress-Relieved Polypropylene	Unique sizes, shapes, and configurations in small quantities where tooling costs outstrip value of liner. Unique no longer has to mean outrageously expensive – no tooling, mold or engineering costs.	Leakproof welded construction of .250 stress-relieved polypropylene sheet. Drainage is typically installed in the field, using the drainage adapter shown on reverse.
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic	For curved planters and planter liners, extremely large planter sizes, or decorative planters with intricate designs	Unibody spray up construction for most applications. Gel coating to provide decorative finish. Most fiberglass done on a custom basis - check with the factory prior to specifying.
Flexible PVC Sheeting	Typically used where budget constraints won't allow for a rigid liner, or where an existing container requires a membrane liner with use of the CWM Modular Container Irrigation product.	Gray 30mil PVC material is draped inside of the planter, and fastened mechanically to the side walls. Flexible PVC may be welded in the field.

 

Drainage Adapter

Installed in the field by contractor. Double-gaskets for reliability. Cover with drainage fabric to retain soil/gravel and to keep out roots. Available standard in _" and _" thread x thread configurations, and special order in larger sizes.

Standard HIPS Liner Sizer

"XX" indicates nominal length of liner. i.e. 72" PL4-XX2517 = PL4-722517 All dimensions subject to ±1/4" tolerance.

* When paying by Money Order, Purchase Order, Check, . Please add Ground Shipping & handling to cost of products. Credit Card Add 3% to total. Inquire for discount schedule on volume purchases. Since we're a high volume distributor, we're passing the savings to you. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks lead time to process your order as these planters are made to order. Returns will not be honored unless the product is deemed defective by the manufacturer.

Minimum purchase is $100. NJ residents Please add required sales tax.

Lancaster Box Planters

These turnkey planters are perfect for on-structure applictions like parking structures. Designed to be easy to hang, attractive, and last forever, the Lancaster Box is a premier pre-engineered solution.

Tournesol Sitework’s most durable, lightweight hanging planter system is designed for large-scale plantings on the side of parking structures or other large buildings. The boxes are rotationally-molded double-walled linear low density polyethylene material, and are available in any of our Matrix finishes. The double-wall configuration provides natural insulation to keep shrubs, vines and other ornamentals alive through most winter conditions. The boxes have dual 1” threaded drainage connections for either free draining or plumbing to a drainage system.
               
The brackets, made of hot-dip galvanized and powder-coated tube steel, are custom designed for either spandrel-wall or rail-mount applications.  The turnkey system is also available with Tournesol Siteworks’ AutoFill automatic container irrigation system.

Tournesol Siteworks specializes in dealing with on-structure issues.  We can customize this or any of our other linear planter systems to work with your parking structure or building. The practical design and durable construction allows for a planter that will last as long as your building will.

Lancaster Box brackets designed for a rail system may be custom sized depending on the size of the railing and load anticipated.

The double-wall polyethylene material is exceptionally durable, and will hold up to years of weathering and abuse.

STANDARD COLORS

These colors are standard across most of the Planters. They are achieved with high quality paint finishes, powder coat finishes, or carefully matched blended pigments, depending on the product. Some products and materials, when marked, will only be available in a limited range of these standard colors.
                               
The following colors have an associated color number.  That number corresponds to a standard Pantone® (PMS) color. If you are in doubt how a color will actually appear, refer to a physical Pantone color selector.  The varying materials and finishes will have different sheens (think of concrete vs. polyethylene plastic), so the actual colors may vary slightly from the Pantone® standard.

FRP

Material Description

Ppolyester-based fiberglass (also known as Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic, or FRP)are used , hand-laid in open molds. For our Flower Framers and FF European Series windowboxes we use pultruded fiberglass.  Pultrusion is a process through which glass and resin are drawn through a shaping tool. 
                             
Fiberglass is a lightweight, strong material made up of layers of polyester resin alternated with woven fiberglass mat.  The strength and durability of fiberglass depend upon the number of layers of resin and mat, and the weight of the mat. Because we design our fiberglass to withstand being outdoors, Tournesol typically uses the heaviest mat available and applies at least one layer more than most other fiberglass manufacturers.  The number of layers, the thickness of the material, and the internal structure (bulkheads, gussets, etc.) depend upon the configuration and natural strength of the product design.

Although fiberglass can be finished in a number of ways, Tournesol uses one process for standard colors, and a completely different one for metallic finishes.  The standard colors are typically painted with industrial-grade acrylic enamel finishes on prepared blanks.  This results in a consistent, durable finish that can be easily repaired in the field.  The metallic finishes are created by infusing clear resin with atomized metals, applying it to the fiberglass, then hand-finishing the surface to get the desired finish.  The metals in the resin respond to natural conditions the same way the solid metal would.  Each pot will weather differently, which allows for a dramatic richness that simply can’t be reproduced through other processes.

All fiberglass products (with the exception of the Flower Framer and FF European Series boxes) are waterproofed with an additional layer of black gelcoat resin before shipping.

Finishes & Colors

For standard colors refer to the above.
                       
The metallic finishes shown below vary depending upon the texture of the fiberglass material on which they are applied. Metallic finishes are applied to the surface of the fiberglass, and may be repaired if scratched.

FRP IN METALLIC FINISH

Mechanical Properties

Fiberglass is exceptionally strong and rigid, based upon the strength of the glass fibers, and the wetting characteristics of the resin surrounding them.  It can be made very thin (most pot walls are approx. 5/32” thick), yet still maintain their shape.

Products

Fiberglass are used in the following products:

Village Collection, Metro Collection, Urban Collection, Craftsman Collection, Empire Collection, Wilshire Boxes, Wilshire 2 Boxes, Flower Framer, FF European Series, Coronado Boxes, CB Autofill windowboxes, fiberglass saucers, and some custom fabrications.

Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)

Material Description

LLDPE is a highly versatile plastic material known for its chemical and tear resistance.  Tournesol Siteworks uses LLDPE in our rotationally-molded products. It can be recycled, and many of our black irrigation products are made of 60% post-industrial recycled material. LLDPE is non-polar which gives it great chemical resistance, but also prevents paint from adhering to the surface unless specially treated.  For this reason all decorative products are made of virgin material and integrally colored with pigments.  Our complex matrix finishes are achieved via a blend of up to 5 pre-compounded colors. Typically LLDPE products will not take paint well in the field. This also lends the material a degree of graffiti-resistance.  Polyethylene typically exhibits very good environmental resistance, especially when treated with a UV inhibitor.

Finishes & Colors

Most irrigation products are molded in black.  Decorative rotational molded products are available in all the colors on the “standard” tab. White will tend to be slightly translucent, and may yellow over time.  AFPM & AFHB products are available in a limited range of colors.

The matrix finishes shown below are typically used with the SeaCrest Series and Basix Collection planters. . Matrix finishes are integral to the material, so are especially good at hiding scratches, nicks, and fading.

		MATRIX		FINISH

Mechanical Properties

LLDPE is not particularly rigid, but can be molded in heavier wall sections to provide strength to a product. It is very tear-resistant, and holds up well to impact.

Products

LLDPE are used in the following products:
SeaCrest Series, Basix Collection planters, CWI Interior, CWI Exterior, CWI Classic (CWC), CWF Flower Bowl, CWM Modular, AutoFill Container Irrigation Systems, AFIR, AFPM, AFHB Hanging Basket products, garbage can liners, and some custom products.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Material Description

HDPE exhibits the same good environmental resistance as LLDPE, but has better mechanical properties.  This allows us to thermoform it for use in our modular green roof tray product. It can be have relatively thin wall sections yet still exhibit good rigidity and the tear resistance.

Finishes & Colors

Currently this material is only manufactured in black.

Mechanical Properties

Products

HDPE are used on modular green roof trays.

Polypropylene

Material Description

Polypropylene (PP) is a plastic material with average properties.  Like polyethylene, it is non-polar, chemical resistant and cannot be painted.  It has slightly better mechanical properties than polyethylene, and can be manufactured in thinner wall sections. Tournesol uses it for injection molded container irrigation inserts and leakproof welded planter liners.

Finishes & Colors

Currently this material is only manufactured in black.

Mechanical Properties

Polypropylene has average mechanical characteristics, and is able to be used in a wide variety of products.  Using heavier wall thicknesses with our leakproof liners allows for better rigidity.

Products

PP are used for: CWI Interior, CWI Exterior container irrigation systems, Leakproof welded liners, some various smaller plastic parts.

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)

Material Description

HIPS is polystyrene with rubber added to add impact resistance to its excellent rigidity. We thermoform a post-industrial 60% recycled material to create our planter liners.  It doesn’t hold up well to UV, so we recommend painting areas that will show when using our liners in an exterior application.

Finishes & Colors

HIPS is normally black, but can be painted any of Tournesol the colors on the “standard” tab.

Mechanical Properties

Products

HIPS are used for: Natural Spring planters, CWS Planter Liners, Thermoplastic Planter Liners, some parts of Coronado and CB AutoFill windowboxes.

GFRC

Material Description

GFRC has the look and durability of concrete, without suffering the associated weight.  By adding long strand glass fibers and woven mat to fiberglass, we are able to increase the strength of the material and decrease the thickness. Decreasing the thickness 60% (from typically 3” in cast concrete to 1” in GFRC) directly reduces the weight by the same amount.
                                
Two different finishes are offered in GFRC – travertine and acid etched.  The travertine finish has a rustic, puckered appearance.  The acid etch has a consistent, fine sand texture.  From one base material color, the two finish colors will vary because of the sand and aggregate exposed. All colors are integral to the material, so will effectively hide chipping and scratching.

Finishes & Colors

GFRC Concrete is available in two finishes - Acid Etched (a light sandblast look), and Travertine (a natural, pitted smooth surface).

ACID-ETCH FINISH GFRC

TRAVERTINE FINISH GFRC

Mechanical Properties

GFRC is a lightweight version of concrete, made up of Portland cement, sand and aggregates, water, alkali-resistant glass fibers and certain additives. The glass fibers provide the same function in concrete that rebar does.  It makes the concrete wall significantly stronger than typical precast, so it allows a thinner wall section. The concrete doesn’t weigh less than normal concrete, we can just use less of it. The length of the glass fiber strand is critical in maintaining the strength of the material.

Products

GFRC are used in the following products: Village Collection, Metro Collection, Urban Collection, and Craftsman Collection planters.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION PRIOR TO PLANTING
For Natural Spring Series, Coronado Box, Sea Crest Series, CWS, CWI, CWF.

Transport: Inspect the planter upon delivery from carrier and note any damage at that time. When transporting empty planters on site carry the planter between two or more people, on 2 or 4 wheel dollies, or move on a pallet. Do not roll the planter on its base rim unless the stopcock drain assembly has been removed from the bottom of the planter.

Soil Mix: Start with evenly moist, good quality professional potting soil. We recommend that it be a "soilless" media composed of approximately :

• Approx. 1/3 Peat Moss
• Approx. 1/3 composted pine, redwood orApprox. 1/3 fir barkpeat moss
• Approx. 1/3 sterilized coarse sand, or combination of perlite and/or vermiculite.

Do not use field soil in these planters. A slow-release fertilizer may be added to the soil mix before planting if desired; however, add at only one quarter of the recommended amount. Before planting, make sure that the soil surrounding the plant's root ball is evenly moist. It is important that the plants are not excessively dry or excessively wet when planting.

Situate the Planter: Move the planter to its final location, remembering to rotate it so that the fill hole and drain stopcock will be accessible both during planting and when the plants have grown. Protect all surfaces near the planter which may be damaged by soil mix, plant container, tools etc. Draping the planter rim and outside walls with a tarp will reduce the clean up effort. Tape the sensor to the outside wall of the planter during planting to avoid hitting any part of the sensor with tools.

Tree Tie-Downs: The SS-5536 and SS-3830 planters come equipped with anchor points for tree tie-down cables. If tie-downs are to be used, then unscrew the protective bolts and replace with the eye bolts that are included with the tie-down package. Remember to attach the tie-downs during the planting process to avoid having to search for the eyebolts later. The three anchor points are located below finished soil level to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Getting the Plant and the Soil in Place

1. Visually inspect the planter. Check that all the inlet discs are held firmly in place by their retainer rings, that the stopcock drain assembly is securely in place, and inspect the entire planter for any other obvious damage. Leave stopper in place to prevent potting soil from entering reservoir.
2. Place a 3" white plastic root confuser disc over each water inlet, and the large drainage pad in place over the brass drain fitting, fabric side down.
3. Unfold the large sheet of soil separator fabric to cover the base of the planter, then use a few shovels of moist potting soil to hold it spread across the bottom. Add more mix to press the edges of the soil separator fabric up the sidewalls of the planter.
4. To install the siphon tube assembly, clear a space near the sidewall (not over a water inlet) and place the 3x3" drain pad either side up. Stand the fabric-wrapped end of the siphon tube on the pad and hold in a vertical position while packing potting soil around it. Once supported by a few inches of potting soil the siphon tube should be able to stand unsupported.
5. Measure the height of the plant rootball. Continue filling the planter with potting soil, (packing firmly by hand and making sure that the siphon tube is standing straight) until the soil level is such that when placed on the soil, the top of the plant's root ball will be about level with the fill hole. Place the plant rootball in the planter and position to your satisfaction.
6. Continue filling the planter with soil mix, making sure to firmly pack the soil mix around the rootball as you go. If tree tie downs are to be installed, attach them to the eye bolts at this stage. Fill with potting soil to the finished soil level.

Sensor Placement

1. Activate the sensor by dipping it in water for a full 15 seconds
2. Use a trowel or similar tool to make a trench from the midpoint between the plant stem/trunk and the planter sidewall to the point where the sensor is attached. The trench should angle down from the planter sidewall.
3. Lay the sensor tube on the bottom of the trench so that the sensor tip is positioned 1/3 to 1/2 way down the height of the planter.

   36" high planter - 8"-12" below surface of soil

   30" high planter - 6"-9" below surface of soil

   22" high planter - 5"-8" below surface of soil

   17" high planter - 4"-7" below surface of soil

   12" high planter - 3"-5" below surface of soil

4. Make sure that there are no kinks in the sensor tube, then cover and fill in around the sensor with potting soil. Firm the soil mix well, especially around the sensor tip, to ensure close contact between the sensor and soil.

Adding Water

Fill the reservoir with water only after checking that the planter and the plant are positioned correctly. Be careful to remove any stray soil mix from around the filler area to prevent soil from getting into the reservoir. Remove the filler stopper, insert a hose and half fill the reservoir with water. Replace the stopper, inserting it firmly and with a twist to ensure that a tight seal is made.

Leave the planter alone to allow the CWS to set up its own watering cycle. Do not frequently pull the stopper to check the reservoir. This interrupts the natural watering cycle and can cause overwatering.

After the initial two or three days, return to check the planter is watering correctly. When the system is functioning, the soil surface should be dry or drying out down to the sensor depth. If the topsoil is still moist, don't pull the stopper. If the soil is dry, a vacuum should be produced in the reservoir- pull the stopper while listening carefully for the sound of air being pulled into the reservoir (it makes a "whooshing" or a "popping" sound).

If the soil surface is wet, no air movement is felt or heard when removing the stopper then consult the section "Trouble Shooting Instructions". If the soil surface is drying out and the air movement can be heard or felt, then the planter has been planted up correctly and is now establishing its own watering cycle. At this point the reservoir may be filled all the way to the top, and the stopper firmly replaced as before.

Underplanting Shallow-Rooted Plants with Larger Plants/Trees

Completely install the larger plant, activate and place the sensor, and fill the reservoir as outlined in the instructions above. Make a note of the depth of the sensor. Excavate spaces for underplantings in container 1" deeper than the underplanting rootballs.

Topwater underplantings regularly to provide the shallower plants with a water source until they have the chance to grow down to the level of the moisture sensor, typically 3-4 weeks. Carefully top water the plants with no more than two cups of water per plant initially, until the plants have had a chance to grow down to the moisture level.

Operation

Water Filling Schedule

Check the reservoir no more than absolutely necessary to determine how much water the plant is using. After 6-8 weeks the plant will have acclimated, and you can estimate typical water usage and be able to work out a filling schedule to minimize maintenance visits. Remember, as seasons change, the filling schedule will also change. Similar or different plants in different locations will demand water at differing rates. Always allow for at least a week's supply of water in the reservoir in case of unusually hot or windy weather. Do not allow the reservoir to run dry between fillings.

Adjust your site visits according to the needs of your thirstiest plants. Top off the reservoirs of all planters at once to be sure that some don't go dry. Take advantage of the Controlled Watering System to streamline your maintenance visits.

Fertilizing

Once the plantings have become established in the planter, or anytime after that, fertilizer may be used. Planter Technology recommends using HM-10 time-release fertilizer for sub-irrigation systems. Add 3 tablespoons of fertilizer every 3-4 months. When using other fertilizer,add water soluble fertilizer directly with the water when filling the reservoir. Use fertilizers at 1/4 recommended strength. Adding fertilizer to the reservoir at full strength may cause severe root and leaf burn. Apply fertilizer in this way three or four times a year at times most beneficial to plant growth.

NOTE: Never use organic type fertilizers. These are not water soluble and also encourage the rapid growth of algae which could reduce the efficient delivery of water into the planter.

Stopcock Drain Assembly

When in normal use, the drain stopcock valve may be left in the closed position. In normal conditions, the planter requires no drainage. If left open, the stopcock will not block any water that may condense in the tube from time to time depending on the weather conditions, which may lead to weepage and staining the surface the planter is on. After exposure to heavy rain or if the planter has been top watered by mistake, the stopcock should be opened to allow excess water to drain away. Proper drainage after rains is critical to the health of the plant. The stopcock is threaded to accommodate a standard hose fitting. By attaching a hose and then opening the stopcock, it is possible to carry the drain water away without wetting the ground around the planter. (When draining the planter in this way make sure that the opposite end of the hose is at a lower level than the drain stopcock.)

The siphon tube is provided as an emergency drain to remove accumulated water from inside the planter. Simply open the top of the tube, and siphon the standing water out.This may need to be repeated several times to get all the water out of the planter.

Using the Tamper Resistant Stopper (TSP-6888, Optional)

Tamper resistant stoppers are used to prevent removal in heavy-traffic locations. The metal topped stopper is opened with a standard hex wrench. To close, hold the stopper firmly in the hole, insert the hex key in the screw top, and turn the hex key clockwise several times until resistance is met. To open, insert hex key and turn counterclockwise 3-4 times. Be sure not to overturn key!

Maintenance

Trouble Shooting the Controlled Watering System Irrigation

1. The soil seems too wet -
   An airtight seal must be maintained in the planter for the CWS to properly function. The most common problems that lead to overwatering include:
   • A loose or improperly seated stopper. It must be firmly twisted down to ensure an airtight seal!
   • Loosely packed soil. Firmly pack the soil, eliminating air pockets. Add extra soil if necessary.
   • Poor soil/sensor contact. Check that the sensor is properly placed, and that soil is firmly packed on top of the trench. Check that the sensor tube is still firmly in its fitting.
   
   After checking the above conditions, allow the planter to function for another week. Recheck to insure that the soil surface is dry or is drying out down to the sensor depth.
2. The soil seems too dry -
   The topsoil in a SeaCrest Series planter will appear dry when the Controlled Watering System is functioning properly. The best way to accurately determine the moisture level is with a soil sample probe. Look to the relative health of the plant for an indication of proper watering - some plants will simply not require much water, and will appear not to use up the reservoir. Even though they may not take up much water, they still may be very healthy. Remember, the planter only waters as the plant uses the water. If things still seem dry:
   • If the reservoir is empty and the soil appears completely dried out, the soil may have lost its ability to absorb water. Moisten from the top (avoiding the sensor area), kneading and stirring the soil if necessary to get the soil to absorb water.

1. The water flows into the container through a number of inlets - check for signs that the soil is being evenly moistened in all areas of the planter.

Long-term Preventative Maintenance for the Controlled Watering System

Like any system., the CWS may require maintenance over time. The sensor tubes, stoppers, inlet disks, and soil separator fabric may need to be changed to keep the CWS functioning as designed. The maintenance required depends upon the careful use of the planter.

RECOMMENDATION:

fill the reservoir with clean water, keeping dirt and other debris out. Over time, algae growth due to dirty water or soil in the container can lead to blockage of the inlet disks at the base of the planter.

Don't allow the reservoir to go dry - this may lead to mineral build up in the water inlet discs, preventing full water flow.

Use Biobarrier squares for plants with aggressive root systems - A plant's roots will naturally seek out a water source. Over time particularly aggressive root systems may go through or around a single layer of fabric, clogging the inlet disk from the container side (preventing water flow). Biobarrier fabric is chemically treated to prevent roots from going into the reservoir.

Should you find that the water level in the reservoir is not dropping, the soil is dry at lower levels and the plant looks like it isn't getting the water it needs, then there may not be enough water making it through the inlet disks. Drain much of the water out of the planter, lower a hose towards the bottom of the planter, and flush the inside with high-pressure water. This may serve to disrupt any debris or blockage on the underside of the disk. If that doesn't solve the problem, add a mineral dissolving agent into the water (such as a decalcifier, etc.), to dissolve minerals that may have built up in the disk, clogging the micropores.

If these solutions don't clear the discs, dig out the plant to prune the roots back. At the same time, replace the inlet disks with new ones and use Biobarriers to ensure that build-up doesn't become a problem.

Keeping the SeaCrest Series Planter Looking Great:

• The SeaCrest Series planter's durable polyethylene construction allows for easy cleanup. A dirty planter, whether covered with graffiti or grime, can be cleaned with hot soapy water and a stiff brush. For paint or more difficult marks, paint thinner may be used.
• The planter's surface can be brought back to a luster using standard furniture polish.