Cheap Misting System

I started out rooting cuttings using a cloche made out of 2ltr bottles and it works rather well on plants that don't take months to root.

With winter coming on, I don't think the cloches will do very well and have been trying to come up with an inexpensive way to build a misting system I can keep in my house. I came up with using a ten gallon aquarium with a lid and reptile mister. Something like this:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9738&cmpid=07csent&ref=3665&subref=AA&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=17-17423933-2

I think it will work.

I'd like some input on this to answer questions and pose problems I haven't thought of. I'd like to hear the pros and cons.

X

Huh - great idea! I would have never thought of a reptile mister. Didn't even know they needed it. Whodda thunk...

I can't remember what forum, or what thread, but someone posted about a cheap mister they got at Walmart.

I typed in programmable mister into a search engine, and found this : http://www.trix.com/binx/mister/

You can also check the internet and ebay for Habba mist, I found it for as cheap as $42.

I think it's a good idea! But having a lid on the aquarium might cut down on needed airflow and lead to fungus and mold problems.

I found that link too in my search. Waaay too involved. Easier and quicker to buy a mister. Thanks for searching though.

I've never had problems of mold, fungus or mildew in rooting cuttings, as long as you start out clean. The whole idea is to keep the environment moist so the cuttings don't dry out so if you don't have a lid then things could dry out. I'm planning to use sand in the aquarium as a rooting medium. I have 2 rose cuttings under a cloche in the greenhouse with an average temperature in the gh of 90+. They have been like this for over a month now and the cuttings are actually putting on new leaves even though there are no roots! In all my experience of rooting cuttings, I have never had a disease problem probably because I always dip the whole cutting in an insecticide/fungicide before planting them. I also have some cuttings of Brunfelsia pauciflora that have been under a cloche in the greenhouse going on 2 months with no problems. If you get everything just right, using the 2 ltr bottles you should only have to add water every couple of weeks and very sparingly at that. I let the amount of condensation on the bottles be my guide.

X

I guess I was thinking of growing from seed- more prone to damping off than cuttings, I guess.

You're right about that, again, clean plays a large part in preventing that.

X

Mist-o-matic uses screen that operates a mercury switch. When the screen is wet, the mercury switch turns off the misting. When the screen is dry the mercury switch turns on and activates the mist nozzles. I am going to build on my winter projects.

Garyt

Such a great idea! Please post your results when available.