Downesnursery.com.au :: Rainbird Irrigation Supplement FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement and how does it work?

1. What is Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement and how does it work?

Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement consists of 98% water and 2% food grade ingredients. Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement is 100% natural and harmless to people and animals. It is not a polymer! Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement begins to liquefy when it comes in direct contact with soil. The enzymes naturally found in soil gradually break down the food grade ingredients and convert Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement back into liquid. The capillary activity in the soil then carries and maintains the moisture throughout the root zone for an extended period of time.

2. Is it possible to over-water using Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement?

When applied per manufacturers recommended usage, Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement will not over-water plant materials. Used under normal circumstances, following manufacturers recommendation, each 90 -Day Quart carton or Tube and Gel Pac will deliver one ounce of water every three days. When used to establish native plants outdoors, Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement is designed to deliver only enough moisture to keep the plant under an adequate amount of stress, which causes the plant to seek its own moisture source to sustain itself. When used as supplemental irrigation to aid in ornamental plant establishment in an existing irrigated area, Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement is designed to deliver enough water to keep the root mass moist between normal irrigation cycles.

3. What happens when it rains?

During light rains, Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement continues to work normally. In heavy rains, the enzymes in the soil migrate away from the soil surface to avoid being too wet. Without enzymes present, liquefaction stops and the natural rainwater feeds the plant. When the soil begins to dry out, the enzymes migrate back toward the Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement and begin liquefying again.

4. Does Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement freeze?

Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement freezes when temperatures fall below -3 degrees celsius and will not be affected when it thaws out. Enzymes in the soil become dormant at approximately 3 degrees and, at this point, Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement stops liquefying. When temperatures rise, the enzymes become active and the Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement begins to liquefy again.

5. When temperatures increase will Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement liquefy at a faster rate?

No. Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement is activated by microbial activity in the soil, it is not heat-activated like a common polymer. In high temperatures, the enzymes in the soil continue to break Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement down at a consistent and steady release rate. If the plant requires more moisture, additional Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement or supplemental irrigation should be used.

6. Is it safe to eat Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement?

We do not recommend this, however, Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement is 100% natural and harmless to people and animals.

7. How can one Quart of Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement give a plant enough moisture when the evapo-transpiration (ET) rate of the plant is greater than the liquefaction rate of Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement?

In the first year of establishing an indigenous tree or shrub, developing a root system to sustain the plant is the main goal. If a newly planted tree or shrub is given scheduled watering during its first year, it may encourage the plant to push growth (creating greater ET rates) that it is not yet able to support by the plants root mass. When a plant is grown in the ground from seed, the root develops in proportion to support plant growth. When plant materials are grown in containers and transplanted into the ground, it is important to encourage the roots to grow out and develop so they can draw enough moisture and nutrients from the soil to be self-supportive. During the plants’ early establishment period, most of the moisture the plant is given will remain below the ground within the root mass and ET rates are lower than normal at this time. Follow the usage guidelines, always taking into consideration the species of plant material, soil conditions and how large the canopy or upper body is on the plant.

8. After Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement has finished liquefying what should be done with the Quart or the Tube?

The Quart Carton can be pulled out of the ground and recycled or left in the ground to degrade. It will take approximately 6 months to a year to degrade. After removing, simply brush surrounding dirt into the hole. If you are using the Tube, remove the Tube and use it again on another site or recycle it. When using the Tube over an extended period of time, Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement will leave a protective crust in the bottom of the Tube near the root zone until the time of reapplication.

9. Are there nutrients added to Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement?

No. Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement is pure potable water.

10. Can I fertilize while using Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement?

Yes, however, during the first year, when establishing indigenous plant materials, fertilizing with a high nitrogen-based fertilizer is generally not recommended. When Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement comes in direct contact with fertilizers, it will cause it to liquefy at a faster rate. For this reason, when using fertilizers, it is important to check the Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement after 45 days.

11. Does Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement change the Ph of the soil?

No, Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement has a neutral Ph of 5.25 – 5.5.

12. Do the roots of the plants develop and grow unevenly around the area the Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement has liquefied?

No. Most plants require 2 containers of Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement around the plant, supplying equal distribution of moisture around the root mass. Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement turns back into water at the rate of one-ounce every three days. As liquifaction occurs, the capillary activity in the soil carries and maintains moisture throughout the root mass and surrounding soil. The amount of moisture delivered to the plant is just enough to sustain it and, at the same time, provide an adequate amount of stress to force the plant to seek out its own moisture source.

13. Do the roots grow up into the Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement container?

No. A plant does not recognize Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement as the water source and the roots will grow down naturally.

14. When a plant needs more moisture, does Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement liquefy at a faster rate?

No. Liquefaction is the process of Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement changing from a solid gel back into liquid water. The liquefaction rates are predictable and are determined by the amount of Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement that is exposed to the soil. If a plant needs more moisture, it is necessary to apply more Rain Bird Irrigation Supplement or use supplemental irrigation.

15. Can the brown Tubes be re-used?

Yes. The Tube and Caps can be recycled or re-used. Many commercial clients establish plant materials on one site, then remove the Tube and Caps to be used on another project.