Installation Guide

5
the same time, allow particles to pass through the drip emitter’s water passage providing
reliable performance and a longer life. This method of ushing with a large ow path allows
the drip emitter to operate at optimal ow rates under extreme conditions. In addition, the
pressure compensating drip emitters have a special water saving feature that eliminates
water draining when the system is shut off at around 2.2 PSI (.15 bar). At this pressure the
pressure compensating drip emitters shut off completely, preventing any water drainage from
the lateral. When the system is turned on again, the pressure compensating drip emitters
simultaneously reopen at 4.3 to 4.5 PSI (.3 to .31 bar) for precise control of water ow over
the length of the lateral.
Apart from your knowledge of plants, the only restriction as to what can be grown is the size
of the pots. Trees, for example, would not be a good choice to plant in the pots.
So what’s possible?
First, look to growing vegetables and herbs. Most herbs can be cultivated, even some of the
woody shrubs such as rosemary and lavender. Both of these plants need long hours of direct
sunlight to succeed so an exposed east/west facing wall will be needed. Soft stemmed herbs
such as parsley, mint, basil and coriander will do well in our Living Wall™ pots as long as
their water needs are supplied.
The idea of a vegetable wall is very appealing. This can be easily achieved with fast crops
such as lettuce and the small oriental cabbages. Not all lettuces produce heads such as
iceberg. Non-hearting lettuces can be harvested ‘leaf by leaf’ and there are plenty of varieties
from which to choose. Vegetables do best in high light situations. Flowering annuals can
make a dramatic and welcoming splash of color with many annual owers well suited to
vertical gardens. Maximize your oral selection by choosing in-season blooms that provide a
dazzling ower show for three or four months at a time.
For a more permanent show where regular watering is required, consider succulents. There
are many families of succulent plants where form and foliage color create interesting long
term features. This is not to say that these plants don’t ower; they do, and in many cases
with great air. Succulents are accustomed to getting by on little water and as a result have
a tendency to rot if their roots are constantly wet. Use a cactus potting mix to ll the pots. In
full sun you only need to water perhaps once every couple of weeks during summer so the
plants experience dry soil in between drinks. Most succulents demand hot sunny locations to
give their best show.
Some of the most spectacular vertical gardens are located indoors where there is more
control over the environment, particularly when it comes to watering. Choosing a range of
different plant foliage makes it possible to paint living pictures. As a general rule, soft stem
plants are among the most successful and are good choices for vertical indoor gardens.
In a similar layout, patios and outdoor living areas can be decorated with living plants using
the vertical format to create drama and effect. Tree growing orchids are groups of shade
loving plants that are well suited to life in the air.
It is also possible to grow plants in both hydroponic and aquaponics systems using DIG’s
Living Wall. If one of these systems is selected, ll the pots with expanded clay as the
soil-less medium. It is a good practice to drain the water into a reservoir or pond and add
nutrients to the pond. In the case of aquaponics, sh would supply the nutrient through their
excreta. In both methods, use a small pond pump to push water up into DIG’s Living Wall™
for recirculation.
Selection of Plants