tntiger
Junior Member
Posts: 33
Joined: July 2011
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Post by tntiger on Jul 10, 2014 6:09:44 GMT -5
I finally bought a new hose end sprayer this summer . . . this one is a Gilmore Professional No Pre-mix Sprayer. Gilmore ProfessionalI've used it once and it seemed ok but I'm wondering if there's another good one out there in case this one fails. All of the others that I've used leak and do a poor job of mixing (Ortho, Hudson and one from Ace Hardware). I only use it for applying liquid fertilizer to my garden. I'm generally aiming below the leaves and just need it for convenience since mixing 2 gallons at a time in the watering can is a bit of a nuisance! I use a pump-up sprayer for everything else.
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Post by paulf on Jul 10, 2014 8:07:55 GMT -5
Looks real nice. Just for information and nothing else: Early in my work life I worked for a company that produced liquid fertilizer that was meant to be sprayed on both corn and soybeans, but was used on crops of all kinds. Their research group of agronomists came to the conclusion that plants absorbed nutrients most effectively through the pores in the leaves. Most of the pores are on the underside of the leaves.
The best method of getting the fertilizer to be taken by plants was just as dew began to form in early evening and the pores opened up and actually sucked moisture into the leaves. Their liquid fertilizer was neutral pH and was applied as a mist. You could watch the application either by traditional ground sprayer or by aerial application and the mist would swirl under the leaves and disappear into the plant.
I don't apply much fertilizer in my garden to growing plants, but when I do I also use foliar and set the nozzle to as much a mist as possible. Whether it works better that is a good question and up for some debate I guess. More than you ever wanted to know I am sure.
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tntiger
Junior Member
Posts: 33
Joined: July 2011
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Post by tntiger on Jul 10, 2014 9:07:19 GMT -5
Looks real nice. Just for information and nothing else: Early in my work life I worked for a company that produced liquid fertilizer that was meant to be sprayed on both corn and soybeans, but was used on crops of all kinds. Their research group of agronomists came to the conclusion that plants absorbed nutrients most effectively through the pores in the leaves. Most of the pores are on the underside of the leaves. The best method of getting the fertilizer to be taken by plants was just as dew began to form in early evening and the pores opened up and actually sucked moisture into the leaves. Their liquid fertilizer was neutral pH and was applied as a mist. You could watch the application either by traditional ground sprayer or by aerial application and the mist would swirl under the leaves and disappear into the plant. I don't apply much fertilizer in my garden to growing plants, but when I do I also use foliar and set the nozzle to as much a mist as possible. Whether it works better that is a good question and up for some debate I guess. More than you ever wanted to know I am sure. I've wondered about this and keep thinking about doing foliar feedings instead of ground/root application. My biggest concern is wet leaves - I live in the South and fight a constant battle with fungus type diseases on my plants. This year I've got bacterial leaf spot on my peppers and I wince every time it rains because I know it's going to get worse after the rain. Plus, I alternate spraying with Daconil and Copper Fungicide and hate to wash off the treatments that are going to get washed off in the next rain anyway. I guess I could foliar feed one evening then spray the other the following morning. Finding the time is sometimes hard but it's certainly something to consider! Thanks!
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Post by daylilydude on Jul 10, 2014 11:48:56 GMT -5
tntiger, paulf, Have I been foliar feeding at the wrong time??? I always done it early in the morning so it had time to dry before dark at least that what I have been told... now I feel that I have wasted alot of miracle gro . I use "The Chameleon", so I don't have to mess with the chemicals...
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Post by paulf on Jul 10, 2014 15:44:01 GMT -5
I think that's why those "experts" talked about a fine mist for foliar feeding; so that the leaves were not soaked. I do know most say do not overhead water in the evening to avoid disease. But what about dew and nighttime rainstorms? Tricky. All this information was for the upper midwest. How to do things in Florida is a mystery to me. While we have a home in Melbourne Beach, I do not even attempt to grow anything there...too hot and humid in the summer and when we are there most is winter and all I do is lay on the beach, fish and golf.
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tntiger
Junior Member
Posts: 33
Joined: July 2011
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Post by tntiger on Jul 10, 2014 16:09:53 GMT -5
I think that's why those "experts" talked about a fine mist for foliar feeding; so that the leaves were not soaked. I do know most say do not overhead water in the evening to avoid disease. But what about dew and nighttime rainstorms? Tricky. All this information was for the upper midwest. How to do things in Florida is a mystery to me. Tennessee is a mystery to me! I avoid all overhead watering but short of building a roof over the garden there's not much I can do about rain (although it's been tempting this year!). While we have a home in Melbourne Beach, I do not even attempt to grow anything there...too hot and humid in the summer and when we are there most is winter and all I do is lay on the beach, fish and golf. Sounds like a rough life I hope to duplicate it some day but I'll be in South Carolina enjoying the summer on the beach!
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