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Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

I'm a little confused about this topic. Rule of thumb is "don't water the foliage of the plant during the heat of the day because of the possibility of burning leaves". In order to mist or spray the leaves to reduce wilting from heat would this have to be done continous until the sun is off the plant? Can the spraying be done with a garden hose or does it have to be more sophisticated?

6/9/2007 8:42:33 AM

[email protected]

"Solar heat stress" moments are fleeting. There seem to be fewer than 3 days most years that water on leaves can cause "solar stress". Usually once we have a couple very warm 90°F days, the plants are toughened up enough to handle misting.

Soil moisture at the time plays a role due the the evapotranspiration rate of the leaves.

We had one such "solar stress" day here last Wednesday that caused me a LOT of phone calls from worried customers this week. It hit outdoor ornamentals hard enough so that even low dose fungicide sprays caused spray injury for arborists (in certain areas). Grass cutters who used heavy riders on Wednesday left ugly wheel tracks in lawns that were cut at midday only if those lawns hadn't just been watered.

I know it causes people a lot of grief but it is an interesting phenomenon when it occurs.

6/9/2007 10:54:38 AM

Nicholls Georgia

i have to mist my plants every day i mist from 9 am to 9;30 then from 11;30 to 1;30 or 2 it helps me alot here in ga and yes you will get a little leaf burn on some of the leaves

6/9/2007 1:15:50 PM