Page 17 - Griffin Gazette Issue 1 - 2018

Labor savings with ULVs beat out dense, tall canopies. AutoFog,
all other spray equipment options. ColdFogger and PulsFOG can be used
PulsFOG equipment can be handheld or to encourage good distribution from
cart mounted and is manually operated. floor to gutter (remember the HAF fans).
With fog dispersal up to 160 feet from For HV equipment, look to carts with
the nozzle, the PulsFOG equipment larger capacity tanks and long hoses
makes quick work of treating production to help navigate the rows of crops.
spaces. While the PulsFOG is fast, the Retractable hoses are a great feature.
AutoFog virtually eliminates spray labor
when operated via the integrated timer. Considerations for warehouse
lettuce, greens and herb growers
The newest option in the ULV family, Warehouse production of greens and
the TurboULV, is category buster: It’s a herbs nearly always occurs in a tiered
ColdFogger with particle size that spans system. When strong lateral air flow is
LV and ULV ranges. Small, nimble and incorporated to eliminate dead zones,
portable, it accommodates nearly all AutoFog equipment is a perfect choice
chemicals and creates a fog path with a and will eliminate the need to physically
75 foot reach. apply spray to each level of production.
For the nursery area (seedling
There are a few limitations for ULV stage), rely on HV sprayers for early,
equipment. Vents must be closed and preventative treatments.
exhaust fans must be off during fogging
to ensure that particles circulate and Considerations for warehouse
settle on the targeted material in the cannabis growers
production space (tiny particles move Cannabis growers should consider
easily in air currents and would be their expected application needs
expelled from a greenhouse with active and frequency when choosing spray
venting). Under bright sun and warm equipment. Given that proper lateral
weather, closing a greenhouse for airflow is present in the production
several hours may cause an rooms, mini AutoFog or the Turbo ULV
unacceptable rise in temperature. will be great options for efficiency,
Additionally, proper lateral air flow within efficacy and to minimize the addition of
the production space is a necessity to moisture to the rooms. Remember that
ensure good chemical distribution. This the HVAC system will need to be turned
requires a well-designed HAF system, off for a couple of hours for AutoFog use,
which some greenhouses and many so the treatment will need to be applied
warehouse production spaces lack. during the dark period. Pay attention to
For warehouse production spaces, how the humidity levels are managed
neither the HVAC system nor oscillating within the space. It might be best to set
fans will provide the proper lateral a timer to have the fogger come on after
flow. Additionally, ULV equipment is the room has reached equilibrium, i.e.,
not compatible with soaps, oils and not right after the lights go out. An HV
microencapsulated chemical formulations. sprayer will also be a good investment.
Small carts are especially nice for end-
Considerations for greenhouse of-crop sanitation routines. Backpack
lettuce, greens and herb growers sprayers are good for veg spaces and
Float beds and NFT gutter systems applying targeted calcium sprays.
grow crops in a space-efficient manner,
but make crop access challenging. Considerations for greenhouse
Consider the width of your production cannabis growers
space and choose LV or ULV equipment The cannabis growers tool box should
that will facilitate crop treatment in contain an HV sprayer and LV or ULV
areas that cannot be easily reached. A equipment. With crop sensitivity to
simple hydraulic sprayer will be perfect high humidity, a focus on LV and ULV,
for application of preventative products especially for applications during flower,
at the seedling stage, a necessity for is wise. AutoFog would be a fantastic
prevention of downy mildew in basil. A choice, with model selection based
simple Solo-style pump action backpack on size of the production spaces.
sprayer can be used, or upgrade to a Remember that strong lateral air flow is
battery-operated sprayer from Dramm. required for AutoFog use. Plan to have
a cart HV sprayer on hand for end of
Considerations for greenhouse
high wire crop growers crop sanitation and for hot days when
the greenhouse cannot be closed
Greenhouse high wire crops present
for fogging. u
Dramm AutoFog Sprayer