Netafim PC Spray Stakes are pressure compensating with a check valve for improved control of water and fertilizers. The efficient spray pattern wets the soil surface to maximize water retention while misting is nearly eliminated and wind drift is prevented. The simple construction, easy close-off mechanism, and resistance to sunlight, fertilizers and chemicals means long-life reliability.

1. Superior wetting of the soil mix

Improves plant quality and conserves resources

Netafim PC (Pressure Compensating) Spray Stakes were built from the beginning to fill the needs of the nursery grower. The spray pattern angles downward - just enough - to keep the spray on the soil and not flying into or over the wall of the pot. Water flying out of the pot is wasted. Water that hits the side of the pot typically runs down the side and out the bottom of the pot and is not effective in wetting the soil mix.

Water retained by the soil mix is the most important measure of the effectiveness of a spray stake. A poor spray pattern may look good to the eye, but in fact does not apply water uniformly over the soil surface and results in poor water retention. The Netafim spray pattern provides maximum water retention by the soil mix - exactly what the plant needs. An additional benefit of the excellent wetting pattern is the uniform activation of topdressed fertilizers. The result is superior plant growth and more efficient use of water resources, and fertilizer if liquid feed is being used.

2. Uniform watering from the first pot to the last

Improves plant quality, simplifies design and controls system costs

Have you ever measured the difference in the amount of water the plants closest to the valve get compared to those furthest from the valve? It might be much more than you think and it adds up over time.

In a non-pressure compensating design, the spray stakes at the beginning of the line have a higher pressure and supply more water than those at the end of the line. Therefore, plants at the beginning of the line receive more water than they need by the time the plants at the end of the line are sufficiently watered. Each time the field is watered these differences add up and eventually some plants can outgrow others, resulting in a lack of uniformity and less than a top-quality yield.

Netafim pressure compensating emitters have been in use for over 20 years and can now be used in spray stake systems. As a result, Netafim PC Spray Stakes ensure every pot in the entire system receives exactly the same amount of water. This eliminates the need to overwater some plants to be sure the driest plants receive enough water to thrive. This water savings is typically between 5% and 20% and can be even more.

3. Prevents water from blowing away in the wind

Saves water while nearly eliminating misting

Have your ever noticed how much mist non-compensating spray stakes produce? It is especially evident on a windy day, as that water is wastefully blown away. One more advantage of pressure compensation is that it conserves water. Even at high pressures, up to 60 psi, the pressure compensating mechanism and the downward water spray of the Netafim PC Spray Stake eliminate misting.

4. Prevents draindown onto lowest plants

Avoids plant stress from drowning

Everyone knows that water flows downhill - just ask the plants at the bottom of a hill. Downhill flow is exactly what happens after every irrigation in systems without Netafim’s check valve feature. All the water in the pipe drains out through the lowest spray stakes downhill. When large pipes are used, this can be a very large volume of water. One hundred feet of 1” pipe contains 15 gallons of water and one hundred feet of 4” pipe contains 65 gallons of water. When tens, or hundreds of gallons of water flow out onto the low lying plants after each irrigation, the plants eventually become stressed by excess water.

This problem is eliminated with Netafim’s built-in check valve feature. The check valve prevents the system from draining (up to 10 feet of elevation) after each irrigation.

5. Spray pattern designed for nursery containers

Pick the spray pattern that is right for your plants

For simplicity, some growers place the spray stake near the edge of the pot, making the single-sided spray stake the best selection. Other growers prefer the advantages created by our unique ‘bow-tie’ double-spray pattern:

• Doubles the size of the spray pattern, useful for optimized wetting in very coarse mixes, or large pots. One spray stake can do the work of two or more traditional spray stakes.
• Allows positioning of the spray stake near the stem of the plant. This placement minimizes wetting of the base of the stem, a vulnerable point for some plant species.

6. Simplifies design layout

Reduces system costs

Pressure compensation has advantages beyond the improvement in watering uniformity. It also simplifies the design layout and allows you to reduce system costs with:

• Longer runs - see Design Help section for specific recommendations
• Smaller supply pipes - pipe downsizing usually pays for the pressure compensation feature
• Fewer sub-mains - a very significant cost, especially in areas of difficult trenching
• Fewer valves - longer runs mean a simpler layout requiring fewer system components

7. Simple, secure shut-off

Prevents water waste and accidental close-offs

The side-mounted, secure shut off is easy and fool-proof. For close-off, remove the nipple and tubing from the top of the spray stake and attach it to the side of the spray stake. This provides a clear, visual indication – even from a distance - if a unit is in the on or off position.

8. Adaptable to all soil media types

Stake options available

All flows are available in both a 7” stake and a rod mount (12 gauge metal rod) version for more application options and greater flexibility. Rod mount spray stakes are ideal for:

• Deeper insertion into coarse bark mix for added stability
• Greater allowance for height adjustment to increase size of wetted pattern
• Customizing the height of the spray stake

9. Full range of flows

Choose the flow best suites to your water source and plant needs

Netafim PC Spray Stakes are color-coded and available in four flow options: 3.2, 6.6, 7.9 and 10.6 GPH. Colorcoded spray stakes make it easy to identify the flow from a distance. Based on your water source and plant needs, you can choose the best flow for your nursery pots.

10. Low Maintenance

Lower cost of operation

Some systems are inexpensive to purchase initially, but as they age the cost of maintenance begins to outweigh the initial low cost. Netafim PC Spray Stakes are designed to avoid the plugging that occurs in many lower cost stakes. Each individual stake assembly has an inlet filter to prevent debris from entering. This filter is swept clean by the natural velocity of the water in the pipe. Netafim recommends appropriate central filtration for all spray stake systems but the individual inlet filter greatly reduces the incidence of field plugging from construction repair and other contaminants.