IROX

IROX
IRrigation OXygenation

IROX is a self contained, internal system included in the fabrication of STONEWEAR containers that supplies both water and oxygen to the plant’s root structure.

The unit is custom engineered for each specific STONEWEAR container design, thus optimizing both the capacity (uses the entire volume of the container) and the growing surface (uses the entire area of the container).

IROX creates a dynamic, self controlled, natural relationship between the plant environment and the moisture/air ratios required for optimum subsurface growth. This means appropriate, but different amounts of water are available for plants in the same general area, but with different exposures to the sun and wind. IROX performs well in both interior and exterior applications.

IROX accomplishes this balance by mimicking nature in allowing moisture and air to migrate up through the planting medium in response to plant uptake and external environmental conditions. As water evaporates off the surface of the soil in the container, there is a homeostatic flow from the reservoir below the soil.

Conventional surface watering percolates down past root networks exposing the plant to one of two ongoing potential hazards:
1. Containers with drains can dry out if new water is added erratically or as the flux in moisture content varies with the weather.
2. Sealed containers can build up excess water which encourages excessive bacterial growth and free water around roots, which eliminates access to essential air (oxygen).

Does IROX guarantee trouble free plant growth? No. IROX is a simple robotic feedback system.

By maintaining water in the reservoir, it provides for a gradient of moisture and air in the soil medium above it.

IROX is dependent on the quality of the soil used to fill the container. Ideally, approximately half the space filled by the soil should be open to allow ease of movement for the water and air through the planting medium; i.e. avoid densely packed conditions by amending with additives.

IROX is fabricated with a threaded drain plug. On larger units it will be difficult to access the plug due to the weight of the unit after filling with planting medium. Its purpose is to allow excess water, usually from rain, to drain from the planter. Use the following guidelines to determine in advance whether your application should have a drain.

Indoor application,
- drain plug in, sealing unit
Outdoor with heavy precipitation and no damage danger to deck if water stands on it;
- wrap overflow drain with filter cloth
- drain plug out
Outdoor with heavy precipitation but do not want water on deck;
- drain plug in
- vacuum excess water out through fill tube

IROX minimizes plant maintenance but does not eliminate the need for knowledgeable personnel to supervise the ongoing needs of growing plants.

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