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Des Moines, Iowa

I just got a timer for the hose and was planning on watering 5-6 times a day for 5-10 minutes per application (Coaches Instruction). When I water right now I have to let the hose run for a couple minutes just to get past the 110 degree water that has been sitting in the hose. With such short applications and small volumes (micro sprinklers) should I worry about the water temp coming out of the hose? Any ideas?

Thanks
Chad

6/1/2010 9:39:30 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Chad I'm not a heavy hitter by any means but I feel that I can answer this question honestly. When you take a shower the most desirable temp is around 110. Thats what mine is set at. If your hose is at 120 when in the sun and its attached to the sprinklers, I would think that you'd be okay. The water is forced into the air in fine drops that will cool it down a bit before it reaches the plant. I think you'd be okay. Then again you have to know what's the most comfortable water temp for an AG and if the warmer water will do damage at 120 a few times a day. Warm water is good but to hot is bad. I was thinking the same thing this week when we had such hot temps. The hose felt like a melted hot piece of taffy. I filled up the watering can. It was warm but not to the point where I would have thought it could do any damage or shock to the plant. Good question. Maybe somebody knows the best temp to water at, if that can be controlled.

6/1/2010 10:28:04 PM

Arden, NC

bury the hose in the dirt .....?

6/1/2010 11:44:35 PM

Gold Hill, Oregon

pipe insulation

6/2/2010 2:39:59 AM

Rhode Island

a very good question jr. one many would have not thought of.
i to would be concerned if i used overhead sprinklers or misters.

water on low pressures and small volums would run quite a bit before the really hot water got through the lines. the more hose the longer the wait of course.
some excellent suggestion above as well.

probably a great reason to use soaker hoses rather than sprinklers on a timer for those away from home for extended periods of time.

6/2/2010 6:41:40 AM

Joliet, IL

i use black poly tubing for my misting system that also has heated up water in it from the sun. it is not a problem to the plants at all. i have been using it for 6 years with no problems. just used it during the 90 degree heat stretch we just had. no burned leaves on all 3 plants except the one i have from 2 weeks ago when i didn't have the misting system up yet. it was something i also questioned the first year i used them, but found out through trial and error that the heated up standing water in the tubes didn't affect the plants.

6/2/2010 8:13:29 AM

Denver, CO

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv264

Here is an excerpt from some information published by the University of Florida.

"Most well water in Florida arrives at the greenhouse at about 68-70oF year-round. There is no need to increase the temperature above this except perhaps for seedling germination. In this case, heating water to 80oF for NFT germination of seedlings is beneficial.

Water temperature above 80-85oF may cause reductions in plant growth. Warm water cannot carry as much oxygen as cooler water and higher root media temperatures lead to problems in root function and growth. Root rot problems are more severe where water temperature is too high."

I have also read that 68 is the ideal temp, and that anything 50 deg and cooler can start to lead to root shock issues, and likewise when its over 85 deg. This is a much narrower range then I would have ever thought.

6/2/2010 11:31:11 PM

Denver, CO

I should have noted that the above is for root zone (ie- ground watering) and there is not mention to water temps in regards to misting, which I assume (but dont have any real idea) could be much higher in temp without an issue.

6/2/2010 11:33:45 PM