Netafim NetBow 5″

The Netafim NetBow 5" is a multi-outlet dripper arc designed for container irrigation in soilless growing systems. Developed specifically for high-value pot-irrigated crops such as blueberries and cannabis, the NetBow delivers water and nutrients to every square inch of the container — including the critical top root layer — so plants reach their full growth potential.

NetBow 5" Specifications

Key technical details for the Netafim NetBow 5" container irrigation dripper arc (SKU: NETBOW5BF-CART).

Why Choose NetBow 5"

The NetBow 5" addresses a specific challenge in container growing: conventional point-source drippers concentrate moisture in the center of the pot, leaving the outer root zone — and especially the top substrate layer — dry and underutilized. The NetBow arc design distributes water across the entire container surface through multiple outlets, changing how roots develop.

• Full-container coverage: The arc emitter delivers irrigation across the full diameter of the pot, not just the center. Roots develop in every square inch of growing medium, maximizing the available substrate volume.
• Top-layer root activation: Root development in the uppermost substrate layer is critical for high-value crops. The NetBow's distribution pattern keeps the top layer consistently moist so roots establish there, not only in deeper zones.
• Fertigation precision: Because water and nutrients are delivered uniformly across the container surface, nutrient uptake is more consistent. This is especially important for crops like blueberries and cannabis where fertigation timing and distribution directly affect yield quality.
• User-friendly installation: The arc format is designed for straightforward placement into standard container setups without specialized tools. Netafim developed the NetBow with grower ease of use explicitly in mind.
• Right-sized for 5" containers: The 5" arc dimension matches smaller containers in the growing cycle, making it a practical choice for propagation stages or smaller-format soilless systems where the larger 10" version would be oversized.

Best Uses for NetBow 5"

The NetBow 5" is purpose-built for soilless container cultivation. It performs best in setups where uniform root-zone moisture and nutrient delivery across the full pot cross-section are priorities.

• Blueberry container production: Blueberries grown in pots — often in peat or coir substrate — require consistent moisture at all depths. The NetBow arc supports the even wetting pattern these root systems need.
• Cannabis cultivation (pot/container): Cannabis growers using drip irrigation in substrate containers can use the NetBow to reduce dry spots and improve consistency across plant batches. More uniform root development translates to more predictable canopy development.
• Soilless propagation and early-stage growth: For cuttings or seedlings transitioning into 5" containers, the NetBow's smaller arc size is well matched to pot diameter. Uniform moisture during early root establishment supports stronger plant development before transplant.
• Commercial drip systems: The NetBow integrates with standard drip irrigation supply lines, making it compatible with existing commercial fertigation infrastructure. Growers running timed drip cycles with nutrient dosing can drop the NetBow into their existing layout.
• High-value specialty crops: Any soilless pot-grown crop where root uniformity and fertigation accuracy affect product quality or yield is a candidate for the NetBow approach.

For growers managing water quality alongside irrigation, pairing a reverse osmosis system upstream of the drip line ensures the clean-water baseline that precise fertigation requires. Growers running nutrient dosing should also verify EC regularly — a calibrated EC electrode keeps readings accurate as electrodes age.

Sources & Further Reading