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Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, August 28, 1997 AAI1
Spare the Water, Spoil the plant
by N. "Total" Tomiyasu
Gardeners in the desert, particularly new arrivals,
have some serious misconceptions on desert irrigation.
Most people who migrate to the desert come to enjoy
the economic growth and warm climate. They see the
luxurious plantings at the hotels and casinos, yet don't
understand the harsh surroundings they are planted in.
Our native desert consists of parched soils, rock, dry
washes and sparse plant life except in the wash areas,
where water flows occasionally after a rain storm. Rain
is an unusual event, especially during the summer
months. We might have an occasional cloudburst, but
after a 10-30 minute downpour, the sun comes out and
immediately begins drying up the moisture.
Many of the imported plants in our landscapes
require regular watering, some even on a daily basis
through the hot summer months. Many plants fail
because the irrigation cycles are simply not long enough
to allow the plants to soak up the water they need
through their root systems.
Most gardeners here are from other parts of the
United States. They come from areas that have high
humidity and regular rainfall throughout the year. This
means that irrigation isn't as important to them as it is
to us native of the desert. We have learned how crucial
proper irrigation is to successful horticulture. It is
important to thoroughly understand irrigation methods
and theories. Otherwise, your plants just won't look
good, or worse yet, die right out.
When plants don't look healthy, many people
assume that they need fertilizer or perhaps chemical
pest control to look thrifty and thrMng. Proper
irrigation isn't given the serious consideration it de-
serves. Squirting a little water on a plant should be
enough, right?
Wrong! We have high temperatures 24 hours a day,
coupled with low humidity. New plantings and many
"exotic" plants on automatic drip systems should be
programmed for watering at least once every 24 hours;
we can even be generous in some cases and schedule
them twice a day.
One problem that we face is that many systerr have
fixed gallonage emitters that apply one to five gallons
3er hour. In many cases, these are'programmed to run
Fall seeds, flowers, bulbs, fruit trees and
grapes will be arriving in the next few weeks.
It's time to plant
in
*' "" " • em
Total Tomr/asu, an expert on south
Nevada gardening, wilt be at Jorclan/Chelsa Design
160 on Saturday, September 6, at 9 a.m
talk about when to
will then answer all types of gardening questions.
Tomiyasu
been a lifelong gardener.
Tomi's Incorporated.
His father, Bill Y. Tomiyasu started gardening
in the Las Vegas Valley in 1916. Following instruc-
tions enclosed with his catalog seeds, proved to be
disastrous. He began to experiment varying planting
times to be more in tune with the desert climate.
His experimentation and careful record keeping
paid off. The result is the definitive planting guide
grower, he received the contract from
companies building Boulder Darn to
only 10 minutes at a time. I have found that variable
emitters, which can be set for 0-30 gallons per hour,
offer much more flexibility. Although the cost of a fixed
gallonage emitter is about 10-15 cents a head, while the
variable emitters run about 60 cents each, variable
emitters can be adjusted for soil types, microclimates,
and the type and size of a particular plant.
Most standard systems should be scheduled to run
for at least 30 minutes per cycle, so that at least 15
gallons can be applied to the plant's root system. Many
people think that's too much and a waste of water. But
consider that you have dry, often rocky, soil where the
plant was placed in a hole barely bigger than the
rootball and with little or no organic matter. If watered
with a standard emitter system (two emitters per plant)
for five to 15 minutes, the plant only receives about 1-
1/2 gallons of water.
Most plants need from ten to 30 gallons a day for
good root and top growth. We recommend that new
plants receive daily irrigation for 30 minutes in order to
establish them and encourage rooting. Consider that of
the 162 soil profiles in the Las Vegas Valley, many are
rocky and drain quickly, so that water is not held in the
soil. (In the silty clay soils, which do not drain well, you
might not need to water as often, but you should still
apply enough water with each irrigation cycle to
moisten the rootball and surrounding soil.)
If you don't water sufficiently, expect to see your
plants stop growing or die. Give them enough water
so that the roots can extend themselves and support the
foliage growth.
Courte of xJthwe Trees and Tuff
JORDAN/CHELSA
DESIGN &
NURSERY
Important Dates To Mark On Your Calendar!!
Labor Day Weekend
Starts fall fertile-time. 9-9-9 is the product you'll
need to feed all your plantings.
October I -5
Gromulch Anniversary Sale
- 3/$13
October 4
Horticulturist, Toni Tomiyasu, will
seminar starting at 9 a.m. Call for a
be presenting
reservation.
a
Hovember 29-30 & December 6-7
2nd Annual "Festival of Trees" - Stop by and see
Christmas trees decorated by area businesses. Local
entertainment will perform.
We Offer Wire Service
We Are to! and Education
[Open 7a weekdays 0F' H wy271
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