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Napa Ca.

With all the discussion on T-tape, is it advisable to use this also when watering overhead with micro emitters. Location is Napa Ca. probably best directed to our West coast growers. Vineman? Thanks, Tim

3/7/2005 10:15:04 PM

Eugene,OR

If you want some t-tape I have enough for a dozen plants that has never been used because I didn't have enough pressure from my water tower to run the whold system...so I just used overhead watering. People who have good pressure think it works great. I just don't want to build a 20'high tower to increase my pressure. If you want some, you can have it real cheap! Check out Brian in Oregon's 2004 diary for a successful set-up,

3/8/2005 12:53:19 AM

Eugene,OR

Samdog: I just tried to e-mail you my phone number byt the e-mail got kicked back to me. Send me an e-mail if you want to talk about t-tape.
-Russ Pugh

3/8/2005 12:55:16 AM

San Diego

depends on what type of mircro sprinkler you use. From past experience, I have had to hand water a small amount each day ontop of what my micro sprinklers put out. This year, I'm going super simple. Keep it simple stupid is a phrase many people use. I have a 20 by 20 foot patch, and I will be using one micro-spinner sprinkler from dripworks that puts out 32 or so gallons per hour right in the middle of the patch, it has enough coverage to water the whole area. it will cool my plant during the day and put out enough water so that I will not have to do any other watering. My prior micro's put out around 15 to 18 per hour. I think it will work great, and it's cheap, and real simple. Jimmy

3/8/2005 1:27:15 AM

Bristol, ME (stunner906@roadrunner.com)

Samdog, I don't see the need for both, they each have their advantages and drawbacks. I think it may depend on your situation and equipment which would work best for you, but unless you have a cash surplus, both doesn't seem necessary to me. Just my 2 nickels...
Jimmy, what type of micro is it? I use the mini-wobbler and it works extremely well. Also, instead of T-Tape, you may look into the Ein-Dor sprinklers from dripworks. They have a starter kit for 15 bucks and with a double run of 1/2" mainline, you can have full, overlapping ground coverage without getting the leaves wet. I bought the extra heads and get an 11' diameter out of each one. The mainline is a must however to have enough flow to drive them. Wasn't trying to hijack the post, just offering a different idea.

3/8/2005 6:36:29 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We ran both systems last year. We only used drip twice all year due to too much rain.

I guess my current definition of overhead here is a mister system for cooling that can also be used for "over-leaf" applications of micronutrients, pesticides, etc.

What troubles me about using misters for chemical or organic chemical applications is not being able to get under the leaves......but this too shall change.

3/8/2005 7:16:29 AM

San Diego

I used the supernet pc micro sprinklers before, it put out 18.9 gallons per hour. I will be using the ein dor sprinkler this year, just one of them, it is 34 gallons per hour. My climate gets pretty hot here, so I think I use a little more water than most growers. Jimmy

3/8/2005 7:55:13 PM

Napa Ca.

Thanks jimmy,tremor&stunner. I really didnt want to purchase another system. Sorry russ, Wont be needing the t- tape.Im not sure how much water was put out per hour by the micro emitters. Probably something i should find out. My plan is to do foliar feeding in early evening & watering mornings [micro system]. I hope this 12 hour period is long enough for the agro k system to work before it gets washed off. Thanks again for your help. samdog.

3/8/2005 10:07:11 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Sam,

Depending on the brand some misters have their output built into the part number.

Example:

Toro Maxijet 10 = 10 GPH
Toro Maxijet 15 = 15 GPH
etc

3/8/2005 10:27:51 PM

Chico, Ca

We get 90%+ of our water from overhead misting due to the extreme temps in summer(up to 110*f). We use raindrip tornado misters and we fertigate through them. We do not use any system for watering under the leaves. We use systemic fungicides and have had no mold or mildew issues due to the high humidity. We also grow under 30% shadecloth. All pesticides and fungicides are applied with a backpack tank sprayer Things are less extreme for growers in the in bay area. San Diego has it easier too. All you coastal folks get fresh sea air. By the time we get any delta breeze it is well heated,dry and "well used" full of all their smog. Picts of our misting system can be found under C&R Kolb in the 2003 growers diary archives.

3/11/2005 1:25:24 AM

Montoursville, PA

The way the Northeast has been for two summers I completely discontinued overhead watering over the advice from three mighty fine Giant Pumpkin growers.

I had misting that would evaporate nearly completely by the time it got to the leaf surfaces. This is just about perfect for cooling. However and none the less I still was encouraging the conditions that the milldew like.

In my case call it a mistake....thinking good but likely doing cooling I did not really need at least per the conditions these past two years.

Other parts of the country may do well to consider cooling and overhead watering.

My drip tape or T-Tape underground causes or can cause only one negative...That would be overwatering or feeding in excess of need.

3/11/2005 9:48:58 AM