Just finished running the sprinkler on my nana patch for 2 1/2 hrs this morning (8am to 10:30 am). The air temps were below 80 deg F. In the early morning the leaf pores are large and take in water from dew (or sprinkler) easily. As well as making sure the top soil surface has water for the day. ... When it is hot it doesn't take long for the nana plant to deplete the available water in their root zone though transpiration even if the area is covered with mulch. ... I have 6 bunch of nanas growing in this patch. They need water! And I do not want the leaves folding down.
Next there is a difference between misting and sprinkler watering. ...
- Misting is to only wet the leaves with little run off;
- or, provide water mist to cool the air and help reduce the soil evaporation.
- Misting should use about 25% to 50% less water than a sprinkler.
Sprinkler:
- Provides water for foliar usage and direct plant cooling;
- Provides water for the soil root zone.
I think the better setup would be a soaker hose for soil watering and a separate misting line for foliar wetting of the nana. ... For now and emergency watering I only have a sprinkler setup.