Question on Misting Timers - Orchid Board

Mugsie · #1 03-17-2023, 01:17 PM

I have a small hobby greenhouse which I use for 3 seasons per year. It's not heated so everything comes back inside during late fall / winter / early spring. The GH is 12x18. I would like to put a misting system in and need recommendations on a good, but affordable water timer.

I'm looking for something that I can program to come on for 30 seconds to a minutes, every hour or two, between an on and off time. In other words, 30 seconds on/off at 9am. Nothing at 10. At 11am, 30 sec on/off. This cycle will repeat till 6pm then shut off until 9am the next morning. Something along those lines is what I'm looking for.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations as to how to accomplish what I'm looking for?" What are all of you using?

Thanks all, stay well out there.
Bill M....

---------- Post added at 12:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 PM ----------

OK, now I'm even more confused! Did a search on misting systems and people say the MistKing wouldn't be adequate for a GH. People are recommending an electric timer going to a water pump in a rain barrel, hooked to misting nozzles.

Thoughts anyone?

Ray · #2 03-17-2023, 01:42 PM

Mist King systems are really designed more for smaller enclosures like terrariums than for greenhouses.

The first question is, are you looking for humidification or irrigation?

estación seca · #3 03-17-2023, 07:44 PM

I think several zoos use MistKing systems for amphibian enclosures larger than your greenhouse. It's been a while since I went to their Web site, but they have several different sized pumps.

Mugsie · #4 03-17-2023, 07:54 PM

Ray - that is a really good question! I guess I want to maintain the humidity at a high level, but there are times when I would let it soak the plants too, similar to a rainforest. I don't know what would be best for the plants but would think the high humidity would be better as any aerial roots would always be refreshed with a mist.

All that being said, the short answer is probably to raise the humidity with options! (If that makes sense!).

Keysguy · #5 03-17-2023, 08:17 PM

I have an electronic system I purchased from Charley's Greenhouse Store.

Not sure the timer runs down to seconds/cycle nor can you vary the cycle times during a one day period but it does come with a day/night feature.

Charley's Humidity System with Humidistat (2.0 gph) — Charley's Greenhouse & Garden

I use it as a 2x/day misting system for my vandaceous orchids and it works exactly as I wanted.

If you use it inside a greenhouse, I'd recommend you consider how to drain the excess water out if your GH has a concrete floor. My GH had a center floor drain when I used it in mine. Now it's outdoors in a shadehouse year around so that part is irrelevant for me now.

WaterWitchin · #6 03-18-2023, 11:08 AM

I've used the MistKing system for around for around 12-15 years. Right now it's set up to only run about a ten foot section of misters.

When I was growing in the basement during winter months up to three years ago I had a "beginner size" setup to start, then later got an advanced system. The beginner system I had around 30 linear foot of house and around 15 nozzles. The advanced I later got I used around 64 linear foot of hose and around 35-40 mister nozzles in a room that was roughly 15x16. I used mostly to bump humidity up. The advanced system was later used for humidity and the beginner system was to water mounted plants.

I run misters only on RO water, because I have super high TDS and it clogs nozzles. My pumps each ran out of a reservoir (small one a 50 gallon Rubbermaid type tote, larger one a 55 gallon trash can).

I'm still using the same original pumps, and have replaced two timers because they're water resistant and not water proof. In other words, don't drop them into a bucket of water and fail to notice it... and I don't wanna talk about that.

Dusty Ol' Man · #7 03-18-2023, 01:22 PM

Wait, wait.....12x18 what? Inches or feet?

WaterWitchin · #8 03-18-2023, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Wait, wait.....12x18 what? Inches or feet?

Pretty sure it's feet Dusty. 12x18 inches would be a terrarium, not a greenhouse.

Dusty Ol' Man · #9 03-18-2023, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Pretty sure it's feet Dusty. 12x18 inches would be a terrarium, not a greenhouse.

True. But for me a 12'x18' greenhouse is HUGE!! I've seen people call all sorts of things "greenhouse".

By the way, just how did that timer end up in a bucket?

Mugsie · #10 03-18-2023, 02:04 PM

It's 12x18 feet. It's really not that huge, in fact, I wish it were larger! Unfortunately it's only used approx three seasons since it's not heated.