Greenhouse Misting System—Some Information

Greenhouses have become important tools in plant cultivation. They provide a needed growing place for areas that are not conducive for the development of certain plants and, on the flip side, allow a sheltered setting for areas that can naturally develop plants but whose gardener chooses to provide some relief from outdoor elements.

There are many factors that can affect the development of the plants inside any of these greenhouse settings. The right balance of air circulation, ventilation, humidity, shading, heating and cooling will provide the plants with the most favorable environment.

The aforementioned factors ventilation and shading help cool down a greenhouse, however, these elements often need additional support to prevent overheating. A proper greenhouse misting system kit will help control humidity, which is one of the most crucial components in creating a comfortable environment for the cultivation of plants.

Evaporation uses up heat when it turns water from liquid to gas. When the venting process is complete, much of the needed moisture is lost from the greenhouse because it has escaped into the air. A misting systems mist is an ideal way to replenish the lost moisture inside the greenhouse.

The amount of moisture that is needed to maintain the greenhouse is dependent upon several factors including the already available shading and ventilation, local climate and daily weather fluxes. The rule of thumb is that for each 10 square feet of area, there should be approximately 1-2 gallons of moisture. Unlike a watering system, a quality fine water filter and greenhouse misting system can help distribute moisture evenly throughout the entire greenhouse. A good misting system will disperse a very fine mist of water through an intricate setup of hose and nozzles that will prevent the plants from becoming drenched. Misting systems also play a crucial part by reducing temperatures an upwards of 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or 14 degrees Celsius, so that the greenhouse does not overheat.

Here are some facts about misting systems:

• Misting systems can be used to disperse water in an ultra fine mist or a very coarse spray. The size of the droplets can depend on the nozzle type, the spacing of the nozzle and the operating pressure
• Misting systems are used for many different kinds of applications aside from its everyday greenhouse chores. They can be used in a number of ways, from dust suppression to controlling static electricity control to concrete curing.
• Misting systems utilize pumps are designed for either intermittent or continuous duty. Intermittent pumps are designed to sprinkle water for five minutes and rest for a minute in between misting.
• Misting systems now come with electronic timers which can be programmed to mist 1-14 times a day with each misting ranging from 1 minute to 24 minutes. Other systems can be programmed to mist in shorter durations but more often.
• Nozzles are made from brass or plastic materials. The brass nozzles can be easily affected by minerals that abound in the water supply. The plastic nozzles can tolerate these minerals and can actually repel lime and other deposits.
• The amount of water which is needed to maximize the efficiency of the misting system can be calculated by multiplying the rate of the nozzle flow per minute by the number of nozzles in the system and the result will then be multiplied again by the minutes that the misting system will be in operation each day. This result will be a good estimate of how much water is needed by the system.
• Most misting systems today offer pumps which are almost noise-free. They will not affect the plants and especially the people near the greenhouse.
• Misting systems can be supplemented by an evaporative cooler. They work very well in dry climates (where humidity is below 50%). The air is cooled by around 10-20 degrees by the water which is evaporated because they are drawn through the cooler and then into the greenhouse. Too much humidity can be a problem and this is why people should water the plant only when they need it.
• The use of tools which can measure humidity can also be very helpful for greenhouse enthusiasts.

There are many tools out there that are available for greenhouse plants that can immensely increase the quality of any greenhouse. When speaking on cooling and overheating prevention, a top notch misting system is just the tool for the job. A gardener must simply find out what system will work best for his plants and have it installed immediately.