My greenhouse has a patio mist system inside. It is connected to a solenoid valve controlled by a simple light timer. Works well and fairly inexpensive. patio mister

What water pressure do you have from the tap?

I really can't say. Part of the project will be to tap into my well to run a new spigot line. The only spigots are on the house and the mist system will be further away in the yard. Originally I was going to have him put in a pump from the lake I live on and just use lake water, but he said that would be way more expensive due to the filtration that would be needed from the lake water, so the only other option is to use water from my well.

I use a SSAC/ABB TDR4A22 120VAC Time Delay Relay for the actual cycling of a 3/4" brass solenoid valve. I only cycle on for 1 or 2 seconds every 10-15 minutes. The trick is to adjust so the leaves do not dry out yet you do not soak the potting media and kill your cuttings. I use a separate 24 hour timer to activate the relay so that misting starts about an hour after sun rise and stops about an hour before sunset. This is a link to the nozzles that I use, order extra as they do wear.

https://www.imperialbuilders.com/irrigation-materials/mist-nozzles/misty-mist-nozzles/

I use the Blue/White ones set about 20" above the top of the pots with the nozzle facing upward. Space the nozzles 24" apart along any one bench. Use a filter that is NOT see thru, they plug up with algae very quickly, I like disc filters , 150 mesh is sufficient. Keep your water pressure above 30 PSI for best misting. I use 4' wide benches.

This is the layout that I use in our greenhouse here in Florida.

Thank you Roseguy. My set up will be outdoors, in full sun, so I'm sure it will be tricky finding a happy medium for time of spray and how long in between. A breezy day could change needs significantly I assume.

Speaking of medium, what medium do you find the best to root in? I was planning on a perlite and coarse sand mixture, but I'm trying to also find out what works well for others that I may want to consider instead.

I appreciate your feed back and have forward the information you gave me to the irrigation designer.

Mindy

Mindy,

I use a Fafard 2P mix, which is a peat perlite mix. I am not sure what the present owners of Fafard are calling it but your supplier should know. I use band pots for good drainage and a deep well developed root system. When propagating out doors set up a wind break on all 4 sides, this will make your life much easier. A longer and narrower area is easier to regulate, that way your windbreak will be more effective. Line the long axis up so the cuttings are exposed to the greatest amount of Sun during the day, that is it should be basically in a North/South direction. Cuttings like heat, as long as they do not dry out. This is where your timer adjustment for your situation plays a major role, it is a factor that changes with the time of the year, the time of the season, outdoor temperature, amount of sun and clouds, etc.

Read as much as you can get your hands on of the writings of Ralph Moore, many are on line. He was very generous in sharing his knowledge. In addition to articles he wrote, he also wrote a book "All About Miniature Roses". The book is a wealth of knowledge for anyone wanting to propagate.

Don Rogers

Don - thank you so much for the suggestions. I very much appreciate them.

Regarding the windblock, I hadn't thought of that, but it does make sense. Any ideas on what to use to construct it and how tall should it be? I am in Michigan so will only be using the misting system area from maybe May through October, so I would like the windblock to be something I can remove for the off season (winter months)

Lots of things to take into consideration, I know, but I'm determined to do this, so want to do it right.

I have band pots, but hadn't though of rooting right in them, more of transplanting the rooted cuttings into them after they root, that way I could put them in good soil, to grow larger, but root in a good draining medium first, like what you suggested, or the perlite/sand mixture.

I will also look into Ralph's writings. Thanks!

Mindy