My Orbit Misting System
 

Just to show that I am handy too, I installed the misting system for the shadehouse.

This system does not use any electrical power pump. It is controlled by a battery powered timer hooked to the water spigot. It can hold up to 4 stations but we only needed 2. Each station can be programmed for up to 3 cycles per day for up to 2.5 hours in length in minute increments.

It is not as flexible as the Mist King system but we needed the electrical outlet and the reservoir took up orchid space so we switched over to the hose powered system.

The Orbit ArizonaMist was on sale at Home Depot and included a free extension. 12' plus 10' extension with 10 spray nozzles. It is a pre-fab kit that you run and tack with the included nail-in anchor clips.

Cost: $45 for the battery powered 4 station controller with 2 mechanical valves included (2 more can be purchased separately).

Cost: $25 for the mist kit (we purchased 2 so that we could have 2 stations).

We already had 2 Y-valve brass splitters (avoid plastic-they don't hold up). They cost about $10 each.

A nice low-cost alternative for those on a shoe-string budget. Plus extremely easy to install. I put it up by myself in a little over 1 hour. :verycool:

wow - excellent!

With a misting system and a swamp cooler, you sure are pampering the orchids! Hopefully they will reward you with even more blooms.

I installed the same system in my greenhouse and shade area, I found the tubing to split from the sun in a couple of months and of course that happens when no one is there to fix. I solved that problem by using 1/4" copper tubing. Make sure you put some type of filter prior to the misters, they get clogged easily, calcium will build up in nozzle, so clean them as often as needed.i love the system simple and effective.

Congrats and great job!!!!

wow, i need some of you clever folks to come to my house and help with some projects....anyone want a 'vacation' in nc??? lol....good job on the mister....actually, i am coming to memphis this weekend....got a date at graceland, lol....and tunica....

Does the tan tubing have misting nozzles put in them? Using the hose pressure to power the nozzles is a great idea. I bet that helps cool everything down with your swamp cooler. Thanks for sharing all the handy-work.

The nozzles come with the kit and after the hose test per the instructions you just screw them in place.

There is a filter at the beginning of each station and the kit came with the cleaner. Our water doesn't have a lot of minerals so buildup should be minimal.

Thanks for the tip about the hose oxidation. I'll keep an eye on it. It's not in direct sun so hopefully it will hold up.