| Spray-N-Grow is pH and temperature sensitive, and must be mixed at a minimum dilution of one (1) ounce of Spray-N-Grow per gallon of water. These three factors will allow the product to activate. When the mixed solution has activated, you will notice a slight color change. The pH of the mixing water should be 7.1 or higher. If your water pH is low it can be adjusted using common baking soda or any soluble alkaline base. The water temperature should be 80° to 100°F..
SPRAY-N-GROW MIXING PROTOCOL
Add the indicated amount of Spray-N-Grow to warm water (80° to 100°F) and let the solution stand for 2 minutes. Note: We recommend one (1) gallon per 100 gallons of water.
You will notice that the color of the solution has changed from that of “clear water” to a “tannish” or yellow color. This color change may be very slight with some water and you may not detect it unless you compare it to a glass of your regular untreated water (set them side by side on a white sheet of paper).
If you do not notice a color change:
1. Use baking soda to adjust the pH of the mixing water:
Protocol for adjusting water pH:
Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for every gallon of water.
Amount of baking soda to add based on 1/2 teaspoon per gallon
25 gallon tank / add 2 tablespoons
50 gallon tank / add 4 tablespoons
100 gallon tank / add 8 tablespoons or 1 cup
200 gallon tank / add 17 tablespoons or 1 cup
300 gallon tank / add 25 tablespoons or 1-1/2 cups
400 gallon tank / add 34 tablespoons or 2 cups
If you still do not notice a color change after adding the recommended amount of baking soda, repeat until you notice the change in color. In some cases where water pH is very low, it may be necessary to add up to two (2) teaspoons of baking soda per gallon of water to achieve your color change. Remember, this color change may be slight.
After you have run this test one time, you will know how much baking soda will be necessary for future applications of Spray-N-Grow.
For example: a 200 gallon tank might require 200 x 1 teaspoon of baking soda = 50 teaspoons = 17 tablespoons.
2. Make sure that your mixing water is between (80°to 100F). If your water is not at least 80°F,you may not receive a color change.
We have had a few growers comment that warming a full tank to 80° - 100°F is tedious, so we conducted some research and found various methods that effectively speed up the process of warming the water. The following protocol produces excellent results with ground water temperatures of 55°F and warmer:
Protocol for warming water
Heat 1/2 of the water required to mix the amount of Spray-N-Grow you will use. Add enough Spray-N-Grow for the entire amount of solution you are mixing. Allow this to stand for 15 minutes. Add the other 1/4 of the water (normal temperature) to the tank. Spray your crop according to protocol.
Example:
If you need to mix 400 gallons of Spray-N-Grow mixture, heat 1/4 of the water (100 gallons) to 100°F (38C°) and add four (4) gallons of Spray-N-Grow. Allow this mixture to stand for 15 minutes. At this point, you should see a color change to a “tannish” or yellow color. Add the remaining 300 gallons of water at normal temperature, mix and spray your crops according to protocol.
If your ground water temperature is less than 55°F you need to warm your 100 gallons of water to 105°F to 110°F. Do not warm the water above 110°F, and also do not use less than the 1/4 of the required water volume for the warming process.
The outside temperature is not a factor and neither is tank cooling during application.
Tips for Heating the Water
Listed below are some of the ways growers have found to heat their water to lukewarm (80°F -100°F) for mixing Spray-N-Grow.
1. Add enough hot water from hot water source to raise temperature to 80°F.
2. Allow tank to sit in full sun from early morning to late afternoon. Mix and apply that evening. The water probably will have warmed enough that only a little hot water will be needed.
3. Rent a pressure washer.
4. Steam from shop cleaner.
5. Blow torch a 55 gallon drum of water to provide hot water source.
6. Mount a hot water heating element on a plywood jig that sits on top of tank heats 500 gals of water to 100°F in about 20 minutes to 140°F in 40 minutes.
7. One grower told of a product called “Hot Shot” that attaches to a water source and 180°F water can be obtained.
8. A grower in Washington used an old 1000 gallon butane tank. He filled it with water and heated it with a propane burner placed underneath it.
9. Another grower heated his swimming pool to 85-90°F and drew water from it. (No chlorine in the water).
10. The Landa Hotshot Portable Hot Water Generator will give you 6 gallons of water per minute 90°F higher than the inflow water temp. For example, if your ground water is 60°F you can get 6 gallons per min. at 155°F or 5 gallons per min. at 175°F.
11. One apple grower who treats several hundred acres installed two commercial hot water heaters to supply enough hot water to keep nine spray rigs going.
12. Large acreage growers have designed and built customized warming systems to meet their needs.
3. Confirm that you have added the minimum dilutions of Spray-N-Grow to the water.
For every gallon of water, you will need to add a minimum of one (1) ounce of Spray-N-Grow. (ie. If you want to mix 400 gallons of solution. You will need to add 512 ounces of Spray-N-Grow (4 gallons).
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR APPLICATION
1. The best times of day to apply Spray-N-Grow are:
a. Pre-dawn until 9:00 am (Best choice, the dew on the plants is okay)
b. Just before sunset until morning at 9:00
Stomata are open during these hours and Spray-N-Grow is used much more efficiently by the plant.
2. Use of Spray-N-Grow with other products:
DO NOT apply Spray-N-Grow within 5-7 days after applying either herbicides, pesticides or fungicides unless they are the type that biodegrade within a short time. Then apply Spray-N-Grow after that time period or 5-7 days. You can apply herbicides, pesticides or fungicides anytime after 5 days have passed after applying Spray-N-Grow.
3. Tank cleaning:
Be sure to thoroughly clean your spray tank before using it for Spray-N-Grow. We suggest using a sudsy ammonia solution or one of the commercial washes that neutralize herbicides.
If you have any questions on this please call us at 1-800-288-6505.
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