sprayers?

[lance]

What type of sprayers would you guys recomend for mounted orchids, such as those from Andy's? I love the idea of mounted orchids, but I would like to see the cost of a sprayer before ordering any mounted 'chids.

[maria1971]

I water with a hose. Having said that, the best sprayers that I've found are these (and no, I have no financial interest in the company):

WELCOME TO WWW.PRECIP360.COM!

These are great. They are very sturdy and I've even bought them as gifts for fellow orchid geeks.


ETA: It just occurred to me to add that I also use those 2 gallon pressure sprayers for plants when I want to fertilize. I have to, and I think I need a 4 gallon one at this point. But, for regular watering, I do use the hose.

[PhalPal]

This is the one I like to use, or a variation of it. The hand-pumped pressure spray is really strong and great for reaching mounts or pots that may be a little far away from you. http://www.calwesttropical.com/index...%5Bmode%5D=any
I also have a two gallon sprayer that I use for fertilizing. It is really an insecticide sprayer that I got at a big box store for about $35. (luxury model!)

[Orchidementia]

I use a 2 gallon Hudson multi-purpose sprayer to water mounts and pots outside and a 1 gallon sprayer indoors. I can't recommend them enough; makes watering mounted plants and large numbers of pots super easy. I did modify my outdoor one with a compression fitting and a longer hose, but they're fine as they are out of the box. I have a lot of mounted plants, and without a hose (I live in a "towne house" apartment) it's the most convenient way to water them all.

On edit: mine are hand pumped (and I have FUd arms/hands), very easy to get good compression and cost about $16 - $25 (might have been less). The big one doesn't really fit under my sink faucet, so I fill a bucket to take to the porch; no big inconvenience for me.

[rodbender]

I use the 1 and 2 gallon hand pump sprayers from Lowes, Home Depot to water plants in my display areas they work fine and are about 10 to 15 dollars

[katrina]

Originally Posted by rodbender

I use the 1 and 2 gallon hand pump sprayers from Lowes, Home Depot to water plants in my display areas they work fine and are about 10 to 15 dollars

Yep...same here. They work great!

[trinigirl]

I use a 2 gallon one I got from home depot. I use it to water my mounts and vandas.

I have used several ones over the years. After several months, the air starts to seep out a little and so the pressure is not as strong. Also, debris can clog up the holes and the sprayer will not work as well.

If you leave water in the sprayer for long periods of time, green stuff can build up on the bottom over time and eventually get loose and get into the sprayer holes.

I use the sprayer mainly for fertilizing, and spraying vandas from time to time. Mainly I used the garden hose.

[Brooke]

Sarah you can remove the hose, the spray tip and the spray connector and clean it thoroughly to remove any debris. You can put a handful of gravel in the bottom of the container, swish it around and then dump the gravel and debris out of the sprayer and it is good as new again.

I've used the same one gallon sprayer for several years.

Brooke

[Orchidementia]

You can also buy replacement wands; they can be hard to clean and they're cheap to replace. Same for the handpiece and the pump; replacing either is cheaper than buying an entire new unit (I haven't had to replace my pumps, but did notice they sold them separately, as well as the other parts).

As I said, I love mine! I didn't really need the indoors one, but it sure makes watering the indoor orchids, palms and assorted other plants a lot easier, and the big one is a must outside.

[digitalgate]

It also depend on U have power or not?(power supply). I would use a electric pump to do the job for me. For small collection , a 1 quart pressure sprayer would suffice. I have used Gardena, Hozelock ..... There are disadvantage to both the brand. Be prepared to buy pump once a month. As I change 3 or 4 pressure sprayer before using Gardena and hozelock. U have PM

[kid a]

I don't have any mounts but recently bought a 1 gallon pump sprayer like the incetiside ones with the long hose and handle on it to water the plants. It has an adjustable nozzle for fine mist to jet stream. It has really cut down on the time it takes water so many plants. The one I have also has filter where the water enters the tube to the wand to prevent debris from clogging it. I usually just use water but sometimes add worm teas and other stuff to it. It does a good job of making sure the particles that wash off the roof into the downspout when it rains don't get sprayed onto the platns.

[patticake]

I use a plastic 1 gallon sprayer (8.98) from Wal-marts. It works great. I used to use hand spray bottles, but with @200 plants, that became quite a chore!

[jerrymeola]

first choice mounted sprinkler heads on timers or manual

second hose

third a backpack sprayer if you have enough orchids to need two gallons or more the hand pump type get tiring fast.

quart or gallon size pump sprayer for a small quantity. get one that you can disassemble the handle, the rubber washers get dry easily and need to be greased.

[Orchidementia]

My hand pump isn't the type that needs to be pumped continuously; I work the pump 5-10 times to work enough compression to water 70-80 plants (or more). I have seriously injured hands/arms; I couldn't use anything that required a lot of work!

[lance]

thanks for all of the info. I was completely clueless Now looking at the inexpensive cost of sprayers I can buy more 'chids

[benetay]

I am using hozelock after the gardena ones gave way, i have 2 gardena ones and one is still working fine. I think it's a small fee to change after a few years as it has done it's job well.

Cheers!

[Ray]

While folks have given some great advice on sprayers, I think you might think about other aspects of "mounties" before jumping in.

In my opinion, mounting is the best way to grow orchids - it's certainly most "natural" - but depending upon your specific growing conditions, might require just too much attention in order to grow them properly.

Being up in Michigan, mounted plants grown in the home are likely to need a thorough watering at least daily, and in winter, when the relative humidity is low, maybe a couple of times a day, but never so late that they are wet at nightfall. If your collection is small, and you've "got it in you", go for it!

Not trying to be a nay-sayer, just want to make sure you know what you're in for.

[kmarch]

To expand upon Ray's point about in-home growing of mounted orchids. When I lived in Michigan I grew all my orchids indoors. I had several mounted ones, mostly the smaller Encyclias like bractescens. I sprayed their mounts every day and soaked them good once a week.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Ray

In my opinion, mounting is the best way to grow orchids - it's certainly most "natural" - but depending upon your specific growing conditions, might require just too much attention in order to grow them properly.

Excellent point Ray!! I have quite a few mounted and in the summer it's easy because I just grab the sprayer or the hose (depending on plant) and go. It doesn't take all that long because I don't care where the water drips. In the winter...it's another story. It takes me a good hour (maybe a little more) every morning to water all the mounts...making sure water doesn't drip everywhere and/or catching what will drip. Personally...I have the time and I love that hour (or more) every morning but not everyone has that sort of time.

Also...soaking them once a week is quite time consuming in the winter. In the summer...I just turn the sprinkler on those that are ok w/tap water. This is provided we haven't had a good long rainshower during the week.

[Mini-catts]

I would recommend using pure water, RO, rain water, or distilled water when spraying mounted plants. If you have a lot of salts in the water, it will eventually crust up on the mount and the roots.
IMHO, on the sprayer, I would invest in a good quality one as I have replaced many a sprayer cuz they were cheap. I have settled on Gilmour brand, which runs about $40 for a 2 gallon sprayer. http://www.gilmour.com/Tank-Sprayers...ray-Tanks.aspx
Pete

[Brooke]

If someone is going to spray/water a very large collection of orchids instead of just applying moisture for a few, I would invest in the five gallon battery operated tank sprayer.

We've had one for the garden for four years now and it is sooooo easy to deal with without the hand pumping or the backpack sprayer which compresses the spine. The hose from the tank to the wand is long and the nozzle can be controlled for anything from a hard straight spray or an ultrafine mist.

Brooke

[lance]

Thanks all, and I had not thought about the winter months. I think that I am just going to try a few mounts as a sort of test run this year, to see how they go. If it goes well, then you know what that means, if not, oh well.

[PhalPal]

If you only have a few mounts it will be easy enough to just carry them to the nearest sink without investing in a sprayer. It's when you get more than say, ten or more, that it gets to be a chore. It also depends on what type of orchid you decide to try for your first mount. I love mouunting phals but they don't like to dry out so they are a bit of a challenge in my dry challenge. Catts/Encyclia are perfect because they don't mind being dry between waterings.