Procrastinating... - Page 2

kath · June 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by b54red

I use a S&P Systems backpack sprayer that pumps up to around 150 psi. It has cut the amount of spray material I have to use by at least half because of the high pressure it doesn't take long to thoroughly coat all the surfaces on a plant. It was fairly pricey but if it tore up now I would order it again because it has cut down the physical labor required so much that it was well worth the cost.

The only reason I can guess for the instructions to spray til it is dripping off the leaves is to get you to buy more of their product. If you have a good sprayer once the leaves are wet all over that should be the optimum amount to apply. Having large amounts of pooling liquid just increases the chance of leaf burn.

Thanks, b54red- I've avoided backpack sprayers because I have problems with my shoulders if I lift heavy stuff, so I don't want to go swinging 2-3 gallons around to get the thing on.

Appreciate the tip about the amount of product- when having trouble with leaf burn in the past, I definitely noticed it was worse on the tips of PL plants where the pooling happens the most.

kath

babice · June 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath

There are about 170 plants out there- well, 170 "spaces" actually. In some of the spaces, there are 2 plants growing as one, and some are over 5' tall now, and although I aim to keep them to a single vine, most of them have forked and split and all the ones in cages have been allowed to fill it up...and so it goes.

Wow, wow, wow! That's amazing! I figured you must have tons growing... you over spraying never occurred to me. You feeding a family of 20 or something?

kath · June 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by babice

You feeding a family of 20 or something?

Nope, just DH & me.

We do supply the interested neighbors and local food pantries, though, and I can and dry some in addition to eating lots fresh. I'm just trying to find our favorites in the least amount of time possible so that I can obsessively trial watermelons and other stuff.

kath

babice · June 20, 2012

Well more power to ya, sistah!

How are they doing?

kath · June 20, 2012

So far, so good, babice- thanks for askin'. I think it takes longer for the burn to show up, though. I was able to get through about 25% of the plants and trim, a slow process because I use alcohol and cotton swabs to try to keep the clippers as uncontaminated as possible. I'm glad I sprayed because there is more EB and Septoria than I first thought- can't wait to get started again tomorrow am to continue and hopefully finish the job.

babice · June 20, 2012

Lot of work! Well, maybe you could haul a bunch of utility-sized fans out there with crazy long extension cords and have them blowing out there!

kath · June 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by babice

Lot of work! Well, maybe you could haul a bunch of utility-sized fans out there with crazy long extension cords and have them blowing out there!

Ha! The thought crossed my mind this a.m. but our little box fan wouldn't have helped all that much- the humidity was crazy high until the sun was well up. And yes, it's way too much work for me- that's why I'm going to fight hard to keep them alive until I taste some fruit!

SmokyOkie · June 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath

SmokyOkie- I sprayed last evening. Appreciate you chiming in, though, and the hose end sprayer is very intriguing. Does it spray a fine mist? Why would it be easier to get under the leaves? The ones I've seen in the store don't seem to have a nozzle that you can aim at all.

kath

No, it doesn't spray a fine mist. It sprays a coarse spray. It has a deflector on the tip that I point upwards and it forms a "fan" spray. I aim it at the bottom leaves and then swoop it upwards as I push the spray button and "zip up the plant. 4 or 5 "zips, and the while plant is treated.

I use this product

And this sprayer

I pre mix the product 7:1 in the spray reservoir and set the dial at 4 oz per gallon for the perfect end result.

I rarely have to spray more than a couple times a year, I spray in the evening and have never had any leaf burn problem. The product has a spreader/sticker in it so the it covers evenly and adheres to the foliage.

I can't even imagine spraying as much as you have using a pump up sprayer.

kath · June 20, 2012

Thanks, SmokyOkie- I'll file this away for when it's time to make a sprayer decision. The pump sprayer is a workout, for sure.

SmokyOkie · June 20, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath

Thanks, SmokyOkie- I'll file this away for when it's time to make a sprayer decision. The pump sprayer is a workout, for sure.

Way too much for this fat old Okie for sure!

June 20, 2012	#19
babice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 643	Well more power to ya, sistah! How are they doing?

June 20, 2012	#20
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	So far, so good, babice- thanks for askin'. I think it takes longer for the burn to show up, though. I was able to get through about 25% of the plants and trim, a slow process because I use alcohol and cotton swabs to try to keep the clippers as uncontaminated as possible. I'm glad I sprayed because there is more EB and Septoria than I first thought- can't wait to get started again tomorrow am to continue and hopefully finish the job.