Notice the improved root structure of the plant grown on the Ebb and Flow Mat (right) vs. the plant grown with overhead irrigation (left).

An important factor in Ebb and Flow MAT systems is what happens when the irrigation system is turned off. The mat continues to hold water temporarily and, where pots have bottom holes, will continue for some time to feed water to those plants that need it.  The capillary mat slowly drains excess water from pots. Pots are left with sufficient water and air filled porosity for their needs, promoting healthy growth.

Plant quality is also improved in a number of other ways:

• Pots cannot be over-watered, as may occur with overhead systems.  Supply of water is by capillary and ebb and flow movement that naturally ceases before the medium is saturated.  Gravity drains all excess water that the media does not hold or require.
• Re-wetting is driven by individual pot needs.  Drier pots take up more water than wet pots.  Small pots take up less water than large pots.
• Water is evenly dispersed and provides equal access to all pots so that plants grow at the same rates reaching the marketing stage together.  By contrast, with overhead irrigation - even with hand watering, plants at the extremes of beds are often less advanced in growth and need to be sorted out of batches of plants being prepared for sale.
• Ebb and Flow MAT encourages the aeration required for healthy growth.  With correct usage, a layer of dry, highly aerated potting mix should develop on the surface.  The plant has access to air at the top and moisture deeper within the pot.
• Eliminates leaf and flower damage due to overhead watering.  Species that are susceptible to leaf pathogens respond well to Ebb and Flow MAT’s sub-irrigation.
• Allows growers to place plants anywhere on its irrigation mat. There is less concern that workers may place plants carelessly in a manner that contact is not made.
• Pot appearance is also improved by the reduction in splashing and in plant disease, weed and algae growth that is experienced with Ebb and Flow MAT.