Puerto Vallarta is in the tropics and everyone thinks of the tropics as wet, wet, wet.

Well, this part of the tropics isn’t all that wet. We have a long dry spell from November until June and plants that aren’t native here and adjusted to this situation will usually die, whether they are planted in pots or in the ground. A regular system of watering is necessary for healthy plants.

Information available about drip irrigation is plentiful but not much of it applies to tropical conditions. Systems designed for cooler places disintegrate or self-destruct here very quickly. Plastic pipes do not like the intense summer sun of the tropics. Electrical components have trouble coping with the vagaries of the Mexican electrical grid. Water pressure varies from hour to hour. Hired help often forgets to water or waters incorrectly, Etc.

I have 10 years commercial experience with drip and automatic watering systems in the northern climates and 2 years non-commercial experience here in Puerto Vallarta. I’ve imported many timers and components. I’ve discovered which work and which don’t.

In this class I will teach the basics of drip and automatic irrigation and will demonstrate the varieties of equipment available here in Puerto Vallarta and by import and how to make them work in individual situations. I’ll also demonstrate misting for those who need to periodically mist plants like orchids.

Class size is limited and pre-registration is necessary. The cost of the class is 100 pesos, which can be paid by paypal ($10 US) or at the time of the class in pesos.

TIME: 10 am, Sunday morning, November 25, 2007.
PLACE: The XPlantation, Manantial 375, Colonia Buenos Aires, Old Town, Puerto Vallarta. MAP
REGISTRATION:
By email at class-registration (at) xplanta.com.