Landscape Misters For Micro Irrigation
What Is A Mist Irrigation System?
A mist irrigation system is great for cooling off plants, people, or animals in the heat of the summer, but it also can provide water to plants, and increase the humidity/moisture in greenhouses. These micro irrigation systems use a mist nozzle to spray a fine mist of water into the air or directly at plants, depending on your application.
What Is A Micro Mister?
Misters are watering emitters that focus primarily on reducing temperatures and controlling humidity levels, instead of soil saturation. Misting sprinklers produce water at smaller volumes but operate at elevated pressures (PSI). The low water volume combined with the high pressure creates a mist.
The small droplets of water allow for quick evaporation which cools the air and creates more humidity. Although these devices are popular in nurseries and greenhouses, they can also be used in a wide range of applications.
Why Choose Misters Over Drippers?
They look similar, they operate similarly, and they even serve a similar purpose, but the slight distinctions can make all the difference in your application.
Mister sprinklers & foggers are often used for temperature management in outdoor environments such as decks, patios, pools, and animal shelters/enclosures, as well as some applications of watering. The microdroplets are great for delicate plant foliage, such as ferns or some ground cover, where traditional sprinklers may be too damaging to the plant structure.
Whereas drip emitters and sprinklers are meant to wet the soil for plant uptake. Drip irrigation delivers water slowly at the plan roots zone in garden beds, pots, Rockwool, coco, and any other growing media you can imagine.
Drip irrigation methods are some of the most popular today and are highly recommended to apply water to the soil surface. This water delivery method can easily be used with fertigation systems to provide water and fertilizer to plants.
What is the difference between Foggers and Misters?
Due to water droplet size, misting systems and foggers should be used in different applications for more precise results. There are various applications ideal for using foggers over misters and vice versa. Nonetheless, there are also situations when either option would be suitable.
When and why you would use foggers:
For many reasons, fog is a superb alternative to mist in certain applications such as germination and propagation in greenhouses. This is because fog can deliver more uniform moisture across the plants in your greenhouse without over-watering the soil, therefore decreasing the potential for disease and fungal growth.
Foggers are suggested for plants that are susceptible to root disease, propagation of seeds, and non-rooted cuttings. This is because foggers are better for maintaining and building humidity, and keeping the root zone and leaves moist, without completely drenching the soil.
Foggers are often used in overhead applications, typically mounted on or hanging from the overhead water line of a greenhouse, nursery, or hoop-house.
Greenhouses: Evaporative Cooling, Propagation, Pesticide Application, and Fungicide Application
Orchard/Crops: Evaporative Cooling, Foliar Fertigation, Pesticide Application, and Fungicide Application
When and why you would use misters:
Although misters have many applications, one that is specifically recommended is the propagation of rooted cuttings. This is because mist covers the leaves and stems to stay consistently moist, but not soaked.When misters are used for cooling, they are recommended to be mounted high up, around 8-12 feet overhead for the best results. It is also recommended to install the mister nozzle at a 90-120 degree angle to the ground. Ideally, the mist is meant to evaporate before ever touching the ground.
One of the main benefits of the misters is that a fairly extensive number can work at once. We recommend they be spaced every 2-4 feet for optimal coverage. Make sure that your tubing or mainline can handle the volume of water that you will be using. This will determine how many misters can be installed on one line.
Times when either could be used:
Misters and foggers can be used in plastic or fabric pots, hanging baskets, and anywhere that overhead watering is advised. These are great for plants that need constant moisture or a precise level of humidity. They are both available in barbed or threaded connections making them compatible with a variety of different systems.
Is Misting A Plant The Same As Watering?
Most plants benefit from general drip irrigation, however, misting or fogging plants have their benefits as mentioned before.
Not sure what you should go with? Don't worry, we know everything about micro-irrigation and will help you plan out your irrigation system perfectly for your scenario.
Give one of our growers a call at 1-888-815-9763 with any questions you have.
