Sprayer Recommendation Needed

[Becca]

I'm in the market for a new sprayer for watering my orchids. Currently I use a 3 gallon pump sprayer made by RL Flo Master and it has been the biggest piece of...well you know....since I got it about a year ago. I made the mistake of not keeping the receipt or else I would have taken it back. I've had nothing but problem after problem with it and I'm ready for a good quality one now that I am pretty sure it's on it's last leg. I searched the forums on here and saw that Gilmore was recommended. I'm just curious if anyone else has any other recommendations, or even any other brands to stay away from. I'm looking for at least a 3 gallon sized pump or battery operated sprayer. TIA!

[Becca]

Bump!

[Royal]

Hey Becca,

I buy a new pump sprayer almost every year. I just get the cheaper ones b/c I know they will all fail eventually. This year I bought a nicer Gilmore - a step down from the one with metal parts. It was still more expensive but has a pressure release valve, longer hose, and just sturdier parts. It's still a bit early for me to give a ringing endorsement but I'm happy so far.

[Becca]

Thanks for the response Royal! The thing that frustrates me is the one I purchased that is a piece of crap-o-la is about the same price as the Gilmore one with the metal parts....around $49.00. I just hope that the Gilmore one will hold up better...I'm sure the part that failed on me is still made of plastic on the Gilmore brand.

[johnblagg]

Hmmm I use the plastic ones usually from Home depo and have pretty good luck with them but stuff like that is built cheap these days and the pump almost always fails after a year if its really put to use I use a few drops of oil once in a while int the pump from the top to help keep the seals from going bad and my present one has lasted 3 years but is starting to go south....I used to have one of the old metal ones but alas some one decided to abscond with it on me ....it was a great old sprayer with everything on it sturdy metal and a brass wand that was the best ....

[cb977]

I will ALWAYS recommend Gilmour for pump sprayers...they work...and when the time comes that they don't, all it takes is a call or an email and they send replacement parts. They are Lifetime Warranteed and it's a pleasure to do business with them.

[dounoharm]

i went to a farm supply, called tractor supply....they had a bundle of two pump up sprayers, for 25ish....they have lasted me 4 years and still going strong....dont know the name of the brand, but try a tractor supply store...

[RJSquirrel]

the problem is they get clogged up and you have to know a little about taking them apart and cleaning them..little peices of moss bark chips all kinds of stuff get in them little channels...Someone recommended the handy little ZEP sprayers and I have to say its pretty easy to take apart clean put back together. Ill do a how to take em apart and clean em photo esssy its pretty easy. I had to learn bec I got tired of buying new ones that eventually devoloped the same problems. They stop working right and spit and cough and hose everything down but the plants.

the ZEP is about 3 or 4 bucks and for small herds is a fine sprayer.
The Round up pump up is about 20 dollars and you can get parts for it when they wear out

I cant live without one ..but my plants probaly could

[Ray]

A few years ago I broke down and bought a backpack sprayer with a 5-gallon capacity, hand pump to pressurize as needed. Mine is marketed as a RoundUp applicator (which I certainly am not doing), but it's great for pesticides, and I'm sure would be good for watering, as well.

[tucker85]

I have a backpack sprayer also. Mine is a 4 gallon model by Solo. It's heavy and difficult to get onto your back but it works great. If you're strong enough to handle it I think it's a worthwhile investment for a large orchid collection. I use it for fertilizing and pesticide application.