During the past 60 plus years I’ve seen and used a multitude of watering wands, nozzles and watering cans. These have ranged from expensive copper Japanese watering cans to very inexpensive Chinese green plastic watering nozzles once imported and distributed by Brussel Martin.
In a hurry, I’ve even used my thumb over an open-end hose. The green Chinese plastic watering nozzles were great, but unfortunately, did not hold up through daily use in my bonsai garden, as the plastic ring holding the rose (nozzle) kept breaking and Superglue would not work. ALL of these, and others will surely get the job done watering bonsai. However, in my pursuit of excellence of correct bonsai watering techniques I’ve had several which were pretty good. But there are some differences and, in my quest, to find the ideal watering nozzle at affordable inexpensive prices has taken me over 60 years.
I’ve had several watering wands which have worked well for my use: Masakuni, Taiwan metal, American Dramm watering breaker nozzles (1,000 holes per rose but now discounted) and Melnor. There are hundreds of models to select from depending on your use and pocketbook. Here are my personal reviews of a few watering nozzles.
Masakuni
The Masakuni nozzle was my first choice because of the fine spray and high quality. They come on a 15-inch metal wand with a removeable rose for easy cleaning. However, when dropped on a hard service the rose would get dented and water would go all over the place which is not good. Currently they are difficult to locate and cost about $50.
Taiwan
After a few years a Chinese knock-off model appeared on the foreign market with a 15-inch Metal Wand. The holes in the rose are quite large and do not produce a fine spray. When dropped the rose was protected from damage with a deep ring which extended over the rose. This worked, however when they switched from metal to a plastic ring, they broke. When available they cost about $25.
Dramm Water Breaker
Dramm is probably the most used watering nozzle used in both gardening and large nursery productions. They have about 15 different nozzles in different colors, each having a different number of holes. The standard plastic nozzle, silver color, has about 400 large holes and a stainless-steel rose. They come in different models and the best I’ve found is red with 1,000 holes. However, it this model is being discontinued. They cost $13 to $23 for the red nozzle. Dramm also makes a large assortment of wands from 15 inches to 60 inches. Several have a built-in shut off in the hand grip.
Melnor And Orbit
For the past several seasons we have been using two great watering wands with eight adjustable water flows from fine to strong made by Melnor. The manufacturer, Melnor, offers an extensive assortment of 80 gardening watering nozzles (adjustable, fixed and pulsating), 21 gardening watering wands with nozzles (long/short handles, multi pattern, shower, and rotating adjustable heads). That’s quite an assortment I never heard of before, and somewhat confusing.
Each wand handle has an adjustable shut off and be regulated on the strength of water flow. Diane discovered these sold in the garden department of Lowe’s and even prefers them over the Masakuni nozzles. The Melnor RelaxGrip Watering Wand has a 33” wand. These have been quite useful with a high-water output yet will not generally blow out the soil in nursery pots and bonsai containers. We have been using them for several seasons now. A watering wand is important so water can be easily applied behind the trunk of a bonsai and reaches difficult small areas, especially when pots are on the ground.
We have also been using the 36-inch Orbit Max Multi-Pattern Wand. Both have worked well. The nozzles are identical, Melnor is yellow, and the Orbit is Blue. However, looking carefully when watering the water does not flow from the center of the nozzles. There is no rose. Both come with a built-in water flow regulator and shut off built in the wand handle. The basic difference is that the blue Orbit has an adjustable watering head which can be easily rotated to reach tight areas, or bonsai on high posts or hanging baskets.
Last season we forgot to protect the watering wands during the freezing winter and most split the metal wands and needed to be replaced. We usually use nine watering wans in my garden. A few days ago, we went to Loew’s to pick up new watering wands. After selecting the Melnor and Orbit watering wands I was looking around and found a new model which seems to be the best.
Melnor RelaxGrip Ultra-Fine Shower Head 15” Watering Wand
This seems to be the best watering wand for bonsai because of the fine even spray. The rose boasts 1004 holes and distributes water in the center of the flow. The Orbit and Melnor do not because they have nozzles not a rose. I have been able to carefully water bonsai with a fine spray three feet away without disturbing the soil. This summer my crew and I will be using the new model for watering the bonsai and nursery stock.
Available at Lowe’s:
Melnor RelaxGrip Watering Wand, (33” Yellow head) $15
Orbit Max Muti-Pattern Water Wand, (36” with rotating head, blue) $21
Melnor RelaxGrip Ultra-fine Shower Head Watering Wand, (15 inches) $13
These are my current personal opinions and I have no connection or loyalty to Lowe’s but do have a 50 plus year relationship with Masakuni. I hope this review does confuse you in selecting the best watering nozzle for your use as you lovingly water and care for your bonsai. By the way, I have discovered that each bonsai is examined when carefully watering. But, not when in a hurry to water, especially when rain is fast approaching.
