I would like to buy a fertilizer injection system to make things a lot easier with fertilizing my trees. Tired of the watering can thing. Also might be able to use it to apply insecticides and other sprays. I have been looking at Chapin and Ez-Flow. I'm sure there are others. Any advice from experience would be nice. I would like to have some adjustments to regulate amount per gallon etc. I don't mind spending $100.00 +- for one that is good. Help appreciated.
Fertilizer Injector System
- Thread starter August44
- Start date
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Interesting idea, do you have a link for the system?
The only thing that comes to mind and I have the same thoughts with drip irrigation systems is having to add more ports if you add more plants.
The other thing is differing preferences of some plants. For example, azaleas are acid loving and I have to give them a different fertilizer than the rest of my trees.
Thanks for the response Paradox. I don't have azaleas so don't have to worry about that. I understand that one can combine fertilizers and other things like fish oil etc at the same time with these. Would be very helpful to me as I have probably 75 trees, mostly collected and unfinished trees at this point.
Here is a link to two I have been looking at.
Here is a link to two I have been looking at.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
The other thing that comes to mind for me (and consideration for others) is the difference in timing of feeding for different species. For example early season feeding for juniper and JBP then stop after candle cutting to resume after new shoots harden off, but later start for feeding deciduous and even later for single flush pines. Could make it complicated with having to put trees in zones because of different feeding schedules.
If all your trees are the same for those requirements I can see how this would make things easier given the number you have.
I love the idea though. I don't think I have as many trees as you (I've not counted in a while) but I'd also like to find ways to simplify and make things easier where I can.
If all your trees are the same for those requirements I can see how this would make things easier given the number you have.
I love the idea though. I don't think I have as many trees as you (I've not counted in a while) but I'd also like to find ways to simplify and make things easier where I can.
KiwiPlantGuy
Omono
Hi,
I use a Venturi system. I bought off Amazon, and it works by sucking fertiliser out of a bucket of concentrate and is added with the hose water. Needs a bit of water pressure to run it and it has a small valve to reduce the amount of suck (eg. strength of solution when mixed with water). I also bought a CF/EC meter to work out how strong/weak to make the diluted fertiliser.
There are also things like Dosatron and computer controlled injectors, so up to you as to how fancy etc. Venturi is about $25 USD I think.
I hope this is helpful.
Charles
I use a Venturi system. I bought off Amazon, and it works by sucking fertiliser out of a bucket of concentrate and is added with the hose water. Needs a bit of water pressure to run it and it has a small valve to reduce the amount of suck (eg. strength of solution when mixed with water). I also bought a CF/EC meter to work out how strong/weak to make the diluted fertiliser.
There are also things like Dosatron and computer controlled injectors, so up to you as to how fancy etc. Venturi is about $25 USD I think.
I hope this is helpful.
Charles
ChefB
Mame
I’m pretty sure Bjorn uses the easy flow. I like Chapin hose end sprayer’s but the reviews for their product aren’t very good. I’ve been using this:
Hozon Injector Brass Siphon Mixer
https://a.co/d/2W5lYqN
My only complaint is that I get a little more pressure at the nozzle that I would like. What I like about the siphon mixer is that you’re not diluting the product as you spray. Do you hand water or sprinkler system? If you were hooking this up to a sprinkler system, I would suggest the easy flow but if you’re hooking up to a hose and manually watering, I would suggest a siphon mixer. I do not have a pressure regulator hooked up to my system I will be trying one of these soon to see if I can get a more control the flow of the end of my wand. No matter which you choose, I think the pressure regulator is a must.
Hozon Injector Brass Siphon Mixer
https://a.co/d/2W5lYqN
My only complaint is that I get a little more pressure at the nozzle that I would like. What I like about the siphon mixer is that you’re not diluting the product as you spray. Do you hand water or sprinkler system? If you were hooking this up to a sprinkler system, I would suggest the easy flow but if you’re hooking up to a hose and manually watering, I would suggest a siphon mixer. I do not have a pressure regulator hooked up to my system I will be trying one of these soon to see if I can get a more control the flow of the end of my wand. No matter which you choose, I think the pressure regulator is a must.
Thanks for the reply Chef. So how does one regulate the Siphon Mixer as to the correct mixture of fertilizer per gallon? Also, I would think that the flow out the wand would have to be consistent, or the mixture would change.
ChefB
Mame
You could use a product like this:
Senninger Pressure Regulator 25 PSI 3/4" Hose Thread Drip Irrigation Pressure Reducer Low Flow Valve - Landscape Grade High Performance
https://a.co/d/8S7srl2
There’s a calibration/calculation test that you would do to determine what ratio the siphon is pulling your nutrients. Once you determine the ratio then you would multiply how much product per gallon you’re trying to administer you would then add that amount of product to 1 gallon of water and that is your reservoir. for example at the pressure I’m running my siphon sucks 18 to 1. 18 ounces of product to 1 ounce gallon of water. So I in turn add 36 ounces of fertilizer to 1 gallon of water as my reservoir and then I just water my plants until it’s all gone about 18 to 20 gallons or so.
The pressure at the end of the wand theoretically should be constant, but I have an on off on there and I can adjust it a bit to slow down the flow yet still activate the siphon. I only fertilize at half strength anyway, so I’m not really worried about overdoing it and I don’t think under doing it is a concern either.
Senninger Pressure Regulator 25 PSI 3/4" Hose Thread Drip Irrigation Pressure Reducer Low Flow Valve - Landscape Grade High Performance
https://a.co/d/8S7srl2
There’s a calibration/calculation test that you would do to determine what ratio the siphon is pulling your nutrients. Once you determine the ratio then you would multiply how much product per gallon you’re trying to administer you would then add that amount of product to 1 gallon of water and that is your reservoir. for example at the pressure I’m running my siphon sucks 18 to 1. 18 ounces of product to 1 ounce gallon of water. So I in turn add 36 ounces of fertilizer to 1 gallon of water as my reservoir and then I just water my plants until it’s all gone about 18 to 20 gallons or so.
The pressure at the end of the wand theoretically should be constant, but I have an on off on there and I can adjust it a bit to slow down the flow yet still activate the siphon. I only fertilize at half strength anyway, so I’m not really worried about overdoing it and I don’t think under doing it is a concern either.
yenling83
Omono
If you don't mind spending a bit more, I had a Dosatron for several years that was fantastic. The main benefit is that it's super accurate, you can fine tune the amount of fertilizer instead of playing a guessing game. Con is that it's pricey.
BonsaiDTLA
Shohin
I noticed the past tense. Did you stop using it? If so, could you share why?
MaciekA
Shohin
Hey August, I have an EZ-Flow and am very happy with it. The only caveat I would mention is that you shouldn't plan to have it be a permanent fixture sitting in one outdoor place, like you would with a Dosatron.
That is to say: I usually keep it indoors in a cool spot, dosed up and ready to use, then I quickly pop it on the hose bib when I need to do some fertilized watering, do my watering, then disconnect it and put it back into safe storage (while still in a dosed up state, ready to go). I suspect this is the pattern of usage that will keep it in good shape for a very long time and avoid weathering. I can get it set up and torn down in under 30 seconds, so this is fine for my purposes. I find that opening / closing it and adding fertilizer is also easy, and should still be easy if my hands/arms ever get weaker.
If you want something that you can install in a permanent fashion and not have to fiddle with at the hose bib every time you wanna do some fertilizing, the Dosatron or a Dosatron knockoff will probably be the way to go. I've heard from my mentors that used Dosatrons are quite a bit more affordable than new, by the way. I have used a Doseatron at my teacher's garden many times. It's a very good product and probably easy to sell if/when you're ready to let it go.
edit: Also, if you do get the EZ-Flow unit, pick yourself up a vacuum breaker or pressure regulator like @ChefB mentioned above. I use one with mine.
That is to say: I usually keep it indoors in a cool spot, dosed up and ready to use, then I quickly pop it on the hose bib when I need to do some fertilized watering, do my watering, then disconnect it and put it back into safe storage (while still in a dosed up state, ready to go). I suspect this is the pattern of usage that will keep it in good shape for a very long time and avoid weathering. I can get it set up and torn down in under 30 seconds, so this is fine for my purposes. I find that opening / closing it and adding fertilizer is also easy, and should still be easy if my hands/arms ever get weaker.
If you want something that you can install in a permanent fashion and not have to fiddle with at the hose bib every time you wanna do some fertilizing, the Dosatron or a Dosatron knockoff will probably be the way to go. I've heard from my mentors that used Dosatrons are quite a bit more affordable than new, by the way. I have used a Doseatron at my teacher's garden many times. It's a very good product and probably easy to sell if/when you're ready to let it go.
edit: Also, if you do get the EZ-Flow unit, pick yourself up a vacuum breaker or pressure regulator like @ChefB mentioned above. I use one with mine.
MaciekA
Shohin
Adding one more note: EZ-Flow has the ability to adjust the dosage in real time with a number of settings from fast to slow. There's also an agitator you can have on the tip of the tube that pulls fertilizer liquid in, so if you have a more viscous fertilizer that needs a bit of jiggling on its way to the feeder tube, this one has that option.
yenling83
Omono
Yes I stopped using it, but only because I switched over to a Reverse Osmosis system where I can lower the PH without it. I have my RO system's RO water flowing into a 35 gallon trash can(I only water my nice trees with this). In the trash can, I add food grade vinegar or a chemical fertilizer like Dyna Grow or Grow Big to lower the PH. I use a submersible pump which is inside the trashcan and connects to my garden hose. I gave the Dosatron to Peter Tea, because I wasn't using it. He's been using it for about 7-8 months now with good result.
BonsaiDTLA
Shohin
Nice, I had a similar set up but used one of those syrup bins with the locking lids on top at the last place I was staying at. Where I was though, after pushing it through the RO, I didn't find the need to use anything to lower the PH.
Two moves later and now I'm gearing up to start the garden once the frontyard landscaping is finished.
roberthu
Chumono
I use a 3-gallon handheld spray can with the restricting header removed. A little heavy but very manageable. I can control the flow rate easily and it's very mobile. For big trees I just use a watering can. I also mix all my ferts in a 5-gallon bucket first.
roberthu
Chumono
Do you find the concentration getting lower as you water? I watched videos and read the manual. One thing confuses me is the jar is always full of liquid which means it replaces fertilizer with water. The manual says it does not dilute the fertilizer but I find that hard to believe. Are there separate chambers in the jar?
MaciekA
Shohin
Does the manual really claim this ?
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