I purchased this root waterer because I live in Southern California and don't want to waste water.  I push the rod down in the ground next to several fruit trees I have and then turn on water.  I once killed a cherry tree by putting too much water on the roots, and the ground was so hard it didn't drain therefore causing the roots to rot.  So you have to be careful, and not over due it.  This Root feeder has a lot of plastic on it so it's not as sturdy as the original metal and glass one I had.  But if you handle it carefully, and carry it around by the putting your hand on the hose instead of the plastic body it should work just fine. It has shortened my watering time by quite a bit, no longer having to run water and let it soak down to roots.  I would recommend this device.  I have not used the feeding feature of this feeder.  It is a little shorter then the original one I owned, but you just have to bend over more.