Page 25 - Gazette - November 2023

Avoid storing spray solution in your spray equipment
WHY? First off, pesticides should only be stored in properly labeled SPRAYER
containers, and your spray tank just isn’t one of those! Beyond that, leaving
a chemical solution in a sprayer can lead to clogging, corrosion, and early SUCCESS
wear of seals, gaskets, and other key componentry.
HOW? Mix only what is needed for the application and be sure to allocate Operators should read user
enough time to complete the job, which includes cleaning the equipment. manuals and follow all instructions
for operation and routine
Avoid using RO water to mix your solution and clean your maintenance of spray equipment.
equipment This list provides tips that cross all
WHY? Water is a universal solvent, and RO water is a really good solvent. sprayer types.
Due to its purity, RO water can actually corrode brass parts, causing early
failure and leaching metals out of brass componentry.
HOW? Use municipal tap water, tested well water (check for heavy metals
and other contaminants before using on cannabis and food crops), or
distilled water to mix your solutions.

Use sprayers with stainless steel componentry
WHY? A few of the key chemistries used for sanitation have corrosive
action. Over time, use of these products can damage brass componentry
for early wear and leach heavy metals into the spray solution. This isn’t a
factor for crop health for ornamental crops, but it’s a problem for consumer
health for cannabis crops.
HOW? Sprayer manufacturers, such as Dramm and Siebring, recognized
this problem years ago and have stainless steel options for their equipment.

Release system pressure during any pauses in and after
operation
WHY? Systems are not designed to stay under pressure for long when the
sprayer is not in operation. High pressure without solution flow can force
the spray solution into soft metals, causing premature wear.
HOW? Your sprayer manual will provide clear instructions on how to
manage system pressure. If you have any questions, get in touch with your
Griffin sales rep, your Griffin equipment rep, or the manufacturer.

Thoroughly clean and rinse the solution path
after use
WHY? Not cleaning and rinsing spray equipment can have the same effect
as storing a spray solution in the equipment: it can cause corrosion and
premature wear on componentry. Residual chemistry is also a problem
for the next chemistry used, as it can result in an incompatibility or an
unintended chemical application.
HOW? Apply the entire volume of the spray solution to the crop. Rinse the
sprayer with water, wash with a soapy solution, and rinse with clear water. Be
sure to run the soapy solution and clear water through the entire spray path.