Professional Documents
Culture Documents
by:
J. McConnell, F. J. Cruz and B. Best
Guam Cooperative Extension
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
University of Guam
Mist Propagation Systems; March, 1996
J. McConnell and F. Cruz are Horticulturists with the College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences. B. Best is a Research Associate with the Center for Continuing Education &
Outreach Programs.
Disclaimer
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States
Department of Agriculture. Jeff D. T. Barcinas, Interim Dean/Director, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guam
Cooperative Extension College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923.
“The programs of the University of Guam Cooperative Extension are open to all regardless of age, race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, or disability.”
Reference to product names does not imply approval or recommendation of such product by the University of Guam to the
exclusion of others that may be equally suitable.
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1
Use of Intermittent Mist .............................................................................................. 1
Components of a Mist System .................................................................................... 1
Mist Nozzles ........................................................................................................ 1
Line Filter ............................................................................................................ 2
Solenoid and Valve .............................................................................................. 2
Mist Controller .................................................................................................... 2
Electrical System ................................................................................................. 3
Anti-Drip Device ................................................................................................. 3
Line Check Valve................................................................................................. 3
Pressure Gauge .................................................................................................... 3
Fertilizer Injector ................................................................................................. 3
Backflow Preventer ............................................................................................. 6
Water Storage Tank ............................................................................................. 6
Pneumatic Pump Tank ......................................................................................... 6
Planning a System ........................................................................................................ 6
1. Selecting a Site ................................................................................................ 6
2. Identify the Water Source ................................................................................ 7
3. Selecting Mist Nozzles .................................................................................... 8
4. Determining Size of Propagating Bed and Pipe Sizes .................................... 8
5. System Layout ................................................................................................. 9
Preventing Operational Problems .............................................................................. 9
Hardening-Off and Post-Propagation Care ............................................................ 10
APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................. 11
Recommended Number of Nozzles ................................................................... 11
APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................. 12
Solar Powered Systems ..................................................................................... 12
Introduction
In cutting propagation, a portion of the stem, root or leaf is first cut from a parent stock
plant. Chemical, mechanical and/or environmental manipulation is used to induce cuttings
to produce roots and shoots. Cuttings are used to produce plants that are, in most cases,
identical to the original plant. Propagation by cuttings is the most important means of
propagating ornamental shrubs, florist crops, foliage crops and some fruit species. The ease
of propagating by cutting varies with species. An intermittent mist system will, in many
cases, speed up the rooting process and allow the rooting of normally difficult-to-root
species. This booklet describes how to set up a mist system.
Mist Nozzles
The choice of mist nozzle is based on several considerations: size of desired droplets,
amount of water used, mist pattern and maintenance needs. The droplet size should be in
the range of 0.002 to 0.004 inch. Small droplet size allows the mist to remain suspended as a
cloud for a few seconds before landing on the surface of the cutting. Coarse droplets are not
desirable. The goal is to maintain a film of water on the cuttings without saturating the
medium.
The two common types of nozzles are the pressure jet (Fig. 1) and the anvil nozzle (Fig.
2). In the pressure jet type, water is forced through small angled grooves. The water exits
the nozzle as a mist. Water output is 0.25 to 2.0 gallons per minute. The anvil nozzle pro-
1
duces a mist by shooting a stream of water at a flat surface. The anvil nozzle is less prone to
clogging, but uses more water.
Line Filter
It is best to include a filter (Fig. 3) or strainer on the inlet water line to lessen the inci-
dence of clogging of the mist nozzles and solenoid. The type of filter and size of mesh
depends on water quality. The filter should precede the solenoid valve in a mist line. For
potable water sources, use filters with perforations about half the size of the nozzle open-
ing. With storage tanks and stream water, contamination by algae and other organisms is a
problem. A sand or gravel filter may be needed to remove biological impurities.
Mist Controller
The goal of a mist system is to keep a thin film of water on the leaves without saturat-
ing the media. If the mist is continuous, the media often becomes saturated; thereby,
reducing the air to the base of the cutting. The loss of air reduces the success of rooting and
causes a greater incidence of disease. Continuous misting also washes nutrients out of the
cuttings and media. The controller is used to reduce the frequency of misting to the desired
interval. There are two basic types of controllers: one type is triggered by a timer, the other
type is triggered by a sensing device.
A time clock (Fig. 5 & 6) can be set to turn on a solenoid at desired intervals. These
controllers easily control the duration of the mist cycle and the interval of time between
cycles. Models are also available that allow the cycle to only work during certain hours.
This is useful to shut the mist cycle off during the night and on during the daytime. The
disadvantage is that the misting interval remains the same regardless of the weather. If the
time clock is set to mist for 3 seconds at 5 minute intervals, this may be excessive in cloudy,
rainy weather, but inadequate during bright sunny days. In addition, at night the misting
interval is always excessive. There are controllers available capable of having different
intervals between day and night.
The other type of controller uses a sensing element. One of the simpler sensing element
controllers is the screen balance (Fig. 7). A sensor is used in conjunction with a solenoid
valve. The screen balance is placed among the cuttings. There is a screen on the sensor that
becomes covered with a film of water, similar to the leaves of cuttings. At a certain stage of
dryness, the switch activates the solenoid producing mist. The weight of water on the
screen balance causes the mist to shut off the water valve. The frequency of misting is
controlled by a combination of the temperature, humidity and light intensity. On bright
days misting may occur every 2 to 3 minutes, but on a cloudy day the interval may be
greater than 15 minutes. The mist may only come on several times during the night. The
disadvantage to the screen balance sensor is its sensitivity to wind. If the sensor is not
protected from wind gusts, the frequency of misting will greatly increase and not be related
to moisture loss.
2
Electrical System
There are several options in designing the electrical system. Solenoids commonly
operate at either 110 volts or 24 volts. A 110 volt system can be hazardous especially since
the mist area is constantly wet. The safer approach is to use 24 volt power at the misting
site by converting a 110 volt line to 24 volts with a transformer. This at least reduces the
chance of electrical shock from the higher voltage. There are also battery-powered systems
available. These also operate at low, safe voltages.
The danger of electrical shock should always be kept in mind when installing and
using an electrical control unit in a mist bed. The complete electrical installation should be
done by a competent electrician.
One other choice is the use of solar power. A solar powered system has the advantages
of not requiring the installation of high voltage wiring and allows remote areas (off the
power grid) to operate. Also, the mist system will operate through power outages without
interruption. The disadvantage is the additional cost of the solar power components. These
include the solar panels, storage batteries, and associated controls and meters. Solar pow-
ered systems are discussed in Appendix B.
Anti-Drip Device
Anti-drip devices can be installed between the mist nozzle and the supply line. The
device will prevent dripping from nozzles between misting cycles. These devices operate
either by draining the pipe or a valve opens and closes, when the water pressure changes.
The type that drains the line is wasteful of water, making the pinch valve type preferred.
The pinch valve type maintains water in the line making the misting more efficient since
the line does not have to refill during each cycle.
Pressure Gauge
A pressure gauge is useful for monitoring the water pressure on the feed line to the
mist nozzles. A pressure gauge will help differentiate between mist failure due to low
pressure and failure due to clogged nozzles. The general operating pressure range is be-
tween 20 and 80 psi.
Fertilizer Injector
An injector (Fig. 8) has a maintenance role in a mist system. The hardness of the water
in Guam results in calcium buildup on the pipes, mist controller (screen balance type) and
mist nozzles. Special fertilizers can be injected to reduce the buildup of calcium in the
system.
Backflow Preventer
A backflow preventer (Fig. 9) is a device that isolates the mist system from the main
water line by preventing water from returning to the main when pressure is reduced or
3
Mist droplets are
expelled out of the
center hole.
Underside of nozzle
Top view
Side view Water enters side
Water enters here opening and leaves
nozzle through
center hole.
Figure 1. Pressure Jet Nozzle
Spreader
Water stream
exits nozzle and
strikes spreader
producing
droplets
Water
enters Water enters here
here
Figure 2. Anvil Type Nozzles
4
Solenoids
Screen moves
downward as mist
increases the weight
Figure 9. Backflow
preventer with valve
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lost. The installation of a backflow preventer or an equivalent device is required by law
when using a fertilizer injector in the system.
Planning a System
The five steps in planning a mist system are:
1) Selecting a site
2) Identify a water source
3) Select mist nozzles
4) Select bench and pipe size
5) System layout
1. Selecting a Site
The three primary considerations in choosing a site for a mist propagation unit are:
1) Exposure to sunlight.
2) Exposure to wind
3) Drainage
Select a site that will receive at least 6 hours of direct sun throughout the year. There
should be no obstructions blocking the sun during the day. Systems located too close to
buildings may be partially shaded during parts of the year. Remember, shade can always
be added at little cost, while supplemental lighting is expensive.
Mist propagating units must be protected from the wind. Even wind speeds as low as
a few miles per hour will blow the mist off target resulting in poor or failed rooting. When
using a screen balance sensor, wind can activate the mist more often than is required. The
excessive water will cause the rooting medium to become too wet and cause the bottoms of
the cuttings to rot. Screen movement can also shut the solenoid off prematurely.
Good drainage in and around the misting unit will decrease the chance of disease and
will increase safety in the mist area by decreasing the incidence of puddles. Keeping the
area free of standing water will lessen the growth of algae. If algae grow in the misting
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area, the growing medium can become contaminated with algae. Algae will compete for
nutrients with the rooting cuttings.
3
example: Water from a 4" pipe takes 30 seconds to fill
a bucket to the 5 gallon mark.
2
5 gal 60 sec 5 gal 60 sec
30 sec 1 min 30 sec 1 min
5 gal 2 10 gal
1 1 min min
The flow rate is 10 gpm.
7
It is important to choose mist nozzles that operate within the working pressure at the
site. To ensure proper operation and to accommodate differences in valve types and op-
tions, one should choose mist nozzles with working pressures within about 70% of the
static water pressure at the site. The nozzles with lower flow rates also generally produce
the desired finer mist needed for propagation. Nozzles with high flow rates can overwater
the cuttings resulting in leaching of nutrients and reducing the chance of successful rooting.
5. System Layout
Two representative systems are shown in Figures 10 and 11. The Figures show the
locations of the basic parts of a mist system. Figure 10 shows a system in which the misting
Mist
Timer, Nozzles
Solenoid
& Valve
Water
Supply
Line
Filter
Figure 10. A mist system with a timer. The mist will turn on as programmed in the timer.
8
interval is controlled by a timer. The system shown is battery powered. If the timer requires
110 volts, a surge suppressor is recommended to isolate the system from electrical damage.
Figure 11 shows a system that uses a screen balance sensor to control the mist. The
sensor is placed on the bench. The sensor will be misted along with the cuttings. The fre-
quency of misting should be monitored and adjusted as needed. Some form of wind
protection is required to prevent the mist from drifting off the bench and missing the cut-
tings and the sensor. Wind protection is particularly important to have when using the
screen balance sensor.
Mist Electric
Nozzles Power
Screen
Balance Manual
Controller Wire from Valve
Controller
to Solenoid Solenoid
Water
Filter
Pipline
to Water
Supply
Main Water
Stakes Water Line
supporting Line to (Black Poly Hose)
Nozzles Mist Nozzle
(Black Poly Tubing)
Figure 11. A mist system regulated by a screen balance controller. The solenoid will turn on the
mist when the moisture evaporates from the screen. Note that the screen balance controller is inside the
area misted by the nozzles. In an actual system the controller needs wind protection
9
system, or a rain catchment system can be used. One disadvantage to rainwater is that
algal growth can be a problem. Chlorinated water reduces the incidence of algae.
Line filters and mist nozzles should be checked and cleaned periodically. Proper
maintenance will lessen the chance of having problems with clogged nozzles or sole-
noids.
The screen balance sensor should be cleaned weekly with a toothbrush and vinegar
to keep it clean of calcium deposits. If the screen is not kept clean, the performance of the
controller will be affected requiring the counterbalance weight to be adjusted to maintain
the desired frequency of misting.
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APPENDIX A
Recommended Number of Nozzles
Max. no. of
nozzles on at 24 12 6 4
one time
Max. pipe
length @ 3' 72' 36' 18' 12'
spacing
Max. pipe
length @ 4' 96' 48' 24' 16'
spacing
Max. no. of
nozzles on at 48 24 12 8
one time
Max. pipe
length @ 3' 144' 72' 36' 24'
spacing
Max. pipe
length @ 4' 192' 96' 48' 32'
spacing
Table 1. Maximum recommended number of nozzles at four different flow rates and appropriate pipe lengths
at 3' & 4' spacing for 1//2" and 3/4" lines.
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APPENDIX B
Solar Powered Systems
The basic wiring of two photovoltaic (PV) charging systems are shown in Figures 12
and 13. Figure 12 shows a very basic system that will power a mist system. The following
are some guidelines for constructing a solar powered system.
A minimum of ten gauge multi-stranded wire is recommended for wiring a solar
powered system. Make sure that all connections are made securely and sealed to prevent
loose connections. For the Northern Pacific region, solar panels should be mounted slightly
elevated and facing south. Care should be taken to position the solar panels so that they are
exposed to sunlight throughout the day. Slight shading through the day greatly decreases
the charging efficiency. The voltage meter is included in the basic system to monitor the
battery system. The system should be inspected if the voltage drops below 24 volts. A diode
is installed to prevent the flow of electrons from the batteries to the PV module. The diode
is basically a back-flow preventer for electricity stored in the batteries.
Figure 13 shows a system that has additional control circuitry that allows the system to
be maintained more easily. The heart of the Controller/Load Center is an epoxy filled wall-
mounted charge controller. It includes overcharge protection and the diode. The unit also
makes it easier to connect the wires. The amperage meter will show whether the solar
panels are charging the batteries. By having the combination of the volt meter and the amp
meter, you can more easily diagnose the main problems that are: 1) loose wires; 2) solar
panels not working efficiently; 3) worn batteries; 4) excess use of electricity. If during the
daylight hours the amp meter does not show a reading around 500 mA then the solar pan-
els are not working or a wire is loose between the panels and the batteries. If the panels are
charging (500 mA reading on amp meter), but the batteries are low, the system is using
power faster than the panels can charge the batteries. The excessive use of electricity may
be due to wind moving the sensor. The Battery Saver is a combination alarm and safety
switch for the batteries. If the voltage drops below 23.5 volts, an alarm will go off to warn
that the charge in the batteries is being used faster than it can be recharged. This will tell
you of a potential problem at an early stage. At 23 volts, the Battery Saver will shut down
the system so that the batteries are not damaged.
The optional components are especially useful if employees that are unfamiliar with
the mist system will be working in the nursery or if the system would be left unattended
for extended periods. The alarm and the meters will help to identify a problem at an early
stage. It is important to keep the system maintained so that cuttings are not lost due to a
mist system malfunction.
12
12 Volt 12 Volt
DCPV DCPV
Diode
Voltage Meter
12 V 24 Volt
DC Battery Connection
to Sensor
12 Volt 12 Volt
DCPV DCPV
24 volt
A+ B+ L+ L- B- A- controller/load
center
Battery Saver
B- L+ 24 Volt
Connection
B+ L-
to Sensor
12 V
DC Battery
Figure 13. Wiring diagram for a photovoltaic charging system with recommended
options.
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