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Build Sprayer from a Leaf Blower

micropropagator

18 years ago

I am in a desperate situation. Harlequin Bug and a pink Aphid are killing my brassica plants (cabbage - Kohlrabi - rutabaga - turnips - japanese and Chinese radishes. For example I had 5 rows of rutabagas, each row had 120 plants. Each plant was about 10 inches across and now two row have no plants.

After a week of no success, today I used 4 gallons of water + 160 grams Trend dry detergent + 160 g rancid canola oil. The viscosity seemed to be same as water alone and the emulsion was as clear as water.

I connected a 2.5 gallon plastic paint bucket to the out spout of my 'Weed Eater' leaf blower (ground sweeper). It blew a nice mist 10 feet. It wet the bottom of most of the leaves except rutabaga. 6 feet of 1/4 inch PVC clear tubing runs from bottom of paint bucket to a thin plastic pipe over the out tube of the electric leaf blower. To avoid electrical shock, I avoid water getting into the blower by keeping the out tube pointed down and air space drains any water away from the tube. I will install a circuit interrupter right away.

By my calculations the spray was about 1% detergent and 1% cooking oil. The spraying went very fast. I do not yet know if I killed any Harlequin bugs or pink aphids. I had a lush brassica patch 2 weeks ago. Since the plants were dying very fast, I would appreciate any ideas which will improve this spray or sprayer.

If this works, I will give complete info for building on my website by next year. at www.indbio.com

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Comments (2)

jammer1
18 years ago
If you put the 1/4 inch tubing inside the outlet tube,instead of over it,you will get a better spray.You can try drilling a hole,90 degrees,to the outlet, about a few inches back,from the outlet end ,and install a piece of 1/4 inch pipe.this will be your starting point.......from this you'll have to try different lenghts,from the outlet end,back, to find the best spray pattern,and at the same time,try moving the pipe in,and then out,to see what that does.When you move the pipe you'll have to block the hole you previously made,with a rubber plug,wich they have right at lowe's ;try changing the angle of the pipe also,to see what that does....put a little valve on the pipe to control the flow ..........Beware of fluid getting in back of the fan,if it does,it will probably ruin the bearing that supports the fan,and make sure you have a GFCI in the circuit.I would wear DRY gloves,just in case..............this kind of stuff is called research and development, wich is probably 50% of the cost of a new product on the market...............have fun!!
aballiett
17 years ago
I'm curious about how you detergent/oil spray worked.

I'm throwing EVERYTHING at Harlequins right now. Somethings work some times, but nothing works every time. There are apparently a zillion of them in the hedgerows and they move in on my fall plants the moment I move away from the bed.

I'm using neem, garlic and cedar oil as repellants and NONE of them work. Ideas?
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