hose end sprayer pressure

[rymor]

Trying out a hose-end sprayer this season as the plant summer outside.

Been using the ortho brand 32 oz model on the shower output setting.

I feel that the pressure coming out of the sprayer is almost a bit much for some of the potted orchids.

Is there a way to reduce this pressure without messing with the calculated fertilizer output? Would a hose shut-off valve work here to reduce the pressure of the water entering the hose-end sprayer?

[Ray]

I am not certain of the mixing accuracy of those at different water pressures, but considering the variability of water pressure across the country, it might not be too bad. However, if you want to be more sure, you can test it, and develop your own “calibration”.

First, with just water in the sprayer tank, adjust your spigot so the spray is the “softness” you prefer, and find a way to mark it so you can repeat it easily.

Next get a bottle of food coloring and put enough water and I t in the quart sprayer tank to make about 10 gallons of spray using whatever setting you will use for your fertilizer application. For example, if you will use the “2 oz” setting, add 20 ounces of dyed water.

Turn the water on and use the spray to fill a 5-gallon bucket. Dump it an fill again, repeating until the tank is empty.

By knowing how close to 10 gallons of solution you made, you’ll know how accurate it is and can compensate as needed.

I use an older one that has a single, removable spray head, rather than a pattern selection dial, so just pull the sprayer off and direct the stream into a length of cpvc pipe and use it to direct the liquid into the pot without wetting the foliage.