Building a Mist System for MAXIMUM plant propagation

[@wordvendor1]

Propagation is the best part of growing! It is so exciting to make all those new baby plants. 💚

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I totally agree!

[@southerntulip799]

Yes. It’s what got me hooked! I never dreamed it was so easy to grow. Selling on the other hand is more of a challenge.

[@jeromejaczynski8688]

Savvy dirt farmer i use that same mist timer have had it for several years it works great. No problems at all just changing batteries

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good to know!! Hope the same happens here.

[@hosta127]

Will you please comment with the specs on the timer you used for your original mist system. Mine was working but now we are having trouble with the mist not coming on, water in the unit, questionable performance overall. Would appreciate a referral to a good unit. Thanks as always for your good teaching. 👍🏼🙏🏻

[@rondahicks24]

Yea, I've been waiting for this video ever since you were at your old house. I want to set up a mist system and needed some ideas. Thanks.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Sure thing! My hope here is to give ideas so you can adapt to your situation.

[@davidwells9342]

That looks like a tool that would work really well around the house after you have an establish Garden as well

[@denisebalog994]

Thank you! The frame look really easy to build. I waz thinking to myself, "I can do that!" I have not worked with PVC pipe but I sure love installing drip line runs in my garden. I'm thinking this looked easy too and I am going to give it a try. Time to up my game on the whole misting systems. I love watching your weekly videos. I'm learning the steps by joining in your nursery endeavors of the "good; the "that didn't turn out the way I planned, and the "don't make a big deal of it" just keep trying until yiu find what works fir you.🌱🌱🌱💚😎 Thank you! 💚🤗

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes!! You're welcome. If PVC isn't your thing, you can use a garden hose. A simple adapter will connect you to the timer and valve with no problem.

[@teresaholland4790]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us 🥵 It’s hot down here in Florida too. I can feel it.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It's summer and it's hot everywhere that has rough summers. BUt... I'll take it over winter, for sure!

[@patriciahogg5763]

You are sooo smart and adventurous!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

LOL!! Don't know about either of those.

[@ejfishes7610]

Excellent tutorial Craig! Impressive as always. I just did some spirea cuttings yesterday. I’m trying to propagate as much as I can and I thank you for all your helpful videos - Eric

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Spireas are good... we sell a few dozen each year. I wouldn't do 1000 of them, but definitely nice plants, easy to propagate.

[@ejfishes7610]

@@savvydirtfarmer I’m starting with a few dozen myself (if the all root, but I know that won’t happen). If anything great practice.

[@keithberry366]

Great video as usual. I built a mist tent after your design from when you were in your previous location. Thanks for the information.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

"Tent" with shade cloth or plastic? I'd like to experiment with a low tunnel partially plastic covered, but haven't tried it yet.

[@keithberry366]

@@savvydirtfarmer tent with shade cloth. Thanks

[@royshaul2392]

You guys have it so easy down south lol … im in upstate NY and any water projects for me involve 4 ft deep trenches lol

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It's 101 degrees today with dewpoint temp of about 75. Heat index around 113. One man's "easy" is another man's "not easy." Your trench sucks. My heat sucks. Everybody has to deal with some kind of suck.

[@soccermom1245]

Congratulations!!

[@whitneyanderson6050]

I just built this propagation station and have it temporarily hooked up to the hose with some black irrigation tubing I reclaimed from another project. I have also just received the dig timer and will be getting more serious with real pvc and all the fixings. Thank you for the inspiration once again. I love watching your progress.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good progress!!

[@Growing-Our-Retirement]

Great design! Going to provide for a huge amount of propagation!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes!! Looks like it's going to work once I get things tweaked a bit. Already have about 700 cuttings going. Making more today.

[@jrace2718]

Nice work! I'm sure it will work great. You have plenty of room in case you decide to extend it in the future. If you expand more than your water supply can handle, you just need to fork your water line into 2 separate timers and mist lines and program them to be on offset times.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes. This setup can be extended (will be soon) to accommodate as many plants as I can propagate.

[@anitahouse3600]

Good for you! will allow you to start hundreds more plants. So proud of y'all. 🙂

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thousands. 😃

[@amsohn1]

This is awesome... if you'd do more on why use mist for this, I'd appreciate it... Blessings

[@lychgatelofts9189]

Just want to thank you and your family for walking us through all of the steps to start a small nursery. Last month I bought a load of mulch and a few plants to split. Today I ordered shade cloth. As an experiment, I'm trying to use only the money I get from the fresh eggs I sell. It's slow going but by next spring I should have plants to sell. My Lime Light Hydrangea cuttings seem to be struggling a bit. Is it too late to take more? The mother plant is about to burst into bloom. Than you again! I'm so excited about having a little side hustle!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Sure! Take more cuttings now... take them from the end 1/2 of the branch (newest growth)

[@lychgatelofts9189]

@@savvydirtfarmer Will do! Thank you!

[@jkkelley7582]

Awesome! The mist looks great! i just love all your structures!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Thank you so much!

[@juliknapp9270]

Awesome this is sooooo helpful!!!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Glad you think so!

[@KarlKarsnark]

Great project. I think you mist a spot.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I mist a large spot!

[@donaldcook5796]

How much sun do you cut out ? What percentage of of shade cloth

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Nearly all of it... may lighten it up a bit... gotta work out the particulars with this setup. Right now I'm misting 10 seconds every 15 minutes but that seems a bit much... maybe too dark of shade? I think this shade is 60%, but I have it folded multiple times and it's near 100%... probably too much.

[@mexicant407]

I would like to see a walk thought on the black grow house. Yr backyard is soooooo bad azz

[@savvydirtfarmer]

We don’t live at that location anymore. Somewhere in my videos is a ‘nursery tour.’ It gives a pretty good look.

[@lolitabonita08]

i love the music....

[@savvydirtfarmer]

😀

[@exclusivegardencare2900]

Did you do a follow up video on your thoughts about this mist timer you used. What is the model no for the Galcon timer, there appears to be more than one that looks like yours. Thanks.

[@digsindirt4490]

Love DIG timers.

[@cherylhecht6038]

I would have kept the frame higher and made longer pvc stubs with the mister on them so you didn't have to bend so low. Your back is your #1 tool, and you need to take care of it

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Good idea - that would have worked too. Since it's not constant bending for me, not much of an issue.

[@heartsongdjs]

Where did you get your mist heads? Great video!

[@spacebirb4339]

This is crazy and lovely in the same time! Have ever you consider to build an glass greenhouse where the floor is just concrete ? Its way better for propagation and also growing baby plants in their first months.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

No, I have never considered a glass greenhouse.

[@mattmalmquist2577]

Could you provide a link to the mist heads you use please. A great project. I watched your other video you posted when you were in the back yard but this one was more in-depth. Thanks for all you do.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Try this: www.mortonproducts.com/page.cfm/1333

[@DianePahl]

Could you have put the controller on the top of the wooden frame so you don't have to bend down and squint to read it? I'm old, lol, and I think of these things. Also, the wind/mist problem, would the double layer of shade cloth have alleviated some of the mist blowing away, so you could have kept the wooden frame higher? Just curious.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes, and yes. The thing is, the only time I bend down is putting cuttings under there, or checking on things. That's less than once a day. And, no matter the height of the mist, the plants are still on the ground. The timer is set.... so, unless I'm tweeking it, I don't even look at it.

[@DianePahl]

@@savvydirtfarmer Cool. I look at things now that I'm older than dirt in different ways, I guess. If I don't have to get on my knees, excellent. because it takes a while to get up, lol. Thanks for the response!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@DianePahl We're all heading that direction... never hurts to look ahead. thanks!!

[@kusterflattail]

One thing I've learned over the years, you can never have enough shutoff, and isolation valves.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes... they add to the work and expense a little, but well worth it.

[@melodyscamman244]

Love watching the progress... 🤔🤔 Would it be better to install water hose ends between the timer and misting structure so that a custom length garden hose connects the system? This would allow for moving the misting station(s) without disrupting hard piping or adding a "Y" connection for a parallel station. (??) .

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I have used water hose before, and that works fine. I just don't need to move the system. I may move the plants under it, but not the system itself. If that becomes an issue, I'll re-work a couple of pieces and make it better. thanks!

[@PlumbsmartPaul]

So, how's the propagation valve/timer working out? I'm considering getting one and was wondering if you had some pros/cons on it yet.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

The propagation timer I used worked well this summer. No issues at all with it. First battery powered one I'd ever used.

[@wayneessar7489]

We had an "electric leaf" to control our mist. It sensed water on it's surface and turned off and on. It was for Rhododendrons.

[@hosta127]

How long does it take cuttings to root? And how do you know when to transfer them from the mist to the shade house?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

4-6 weeks on average. Some faster. SOme longer. There's no exact time frame on getting out of the mist. Once they are rooted, reduce mist schedule... just slowly transition them to a shady place, then gradually more sun.

[@mtwhatley3253]

I’ve looked for the timer but can’t find it. What brand of timer do you use? Thanks for the great content.

[@AnthonyYawn]

What mist timer do you recommend for greenhouse propagation, and how often and how long should I water?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I use a DIG battery powered propagation timer.

[@AnthonyYawn]

A couple more questions please. What slow release fertilizer do you recommend for seedlings and which sprinkler head do you use? BTW, I'm in the process of opening a small nursery in middle Georgia and your videos have been an invaluable resource. God Bless You.

[@victorialg1270]

Ive had multiple irrigation battery timers fail because we got down to freezing briefly and they could not handle it. Im wondering if my timer was elevated so it could drain, if that might help.

[@southerntulip799]

How are you liking the DiGG timer, would you recommend it now after having used it?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yes, it worked perfectly and will be using it again this year

[@southerntulip799]

@@savvydirtfarmer thanks for such a quick reply. We are putting our propagation system up this weekend. You will be holding our hand all the way through it and never have to leave Bama!😂🙌🏽

[@kusterflattail]

Also with virgin PVC, and the use of medium body all weather PVC cement, (Oatey) no need for primer.

[@chopshop254]

How do you like that battery operated timer? How long does it last.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

It did great this summer. First time I tried it... highly recommend. I only need it to run for about 3 -4 months in summer, and it did without changing batteries.

[@monicaclark8918]

Great video. What is the pressure regulator you installed?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

My water pressure in something like 120 psi. It's ridiculous. But I love it for my irrigation! So, on an application like mist, I put a regulator on just that line because otherwise there are going to be leaks everywhere, at a minimum. It's just too much pressure.

[@robinbass5532]

I found a timer that I really like. It’s battery but after a few weeks, I was having to put new batteries in every other day. And that’s just not going to happen. I ordered another one hoping the first ones just a fluke

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Yeah, that's no good. I'm gonna keep an eye on this one for sure, til I gain some confidence in it.

[@DavidMoneyMovesJourney]

How did this work out with cuttings?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

All in progress

[@lilyrosedaisyvioletsweetpe1207]

As someone with a well - 175 ft deep, that has to push out of a valley after that - I can only dream of having too much water pressure, 🤣

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Absolutely - we get it. When we lived in TX our well was 380' deep and water pressure was not great.

[@ggrow4453]

Where did you buy mist heads?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Morton's horticulture

[@Romans6.1-2]

The brand is DIG but what model?. I can’t find it.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Look up the 710ap... that should be it. MAKE SURE it does what YOU want it to do.

[@hosta127]

Please see my comment of 4 days ago. I am desperate for a good timer for my mist system. The one I found on Amazon Mist Timer II is not reliable. Please let me know the one you used in your original mist system, or one I cam depend on. My mist house is about the size of your original one. Please help. I am desperate! Thank you.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Email me. Address is in the "about" section

[@horticultureandhomes]

Where's your filter? Won't you need mesh screen drip filter of at least 150 for a mist head?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

I don't use one. Never have. Never had any issues.

[@Jose-qb4qg]

En Español. Saludos Cordiales. El problema que tengo en mi Finca en República Dominicana es qué las tuberías de PVC estában instaladas afuera sobre el plástico negro, y durante el día el agua interna subió a unos 112° o más. Termine quemado con agua caliente las hojas de unas 900 plantitas de Helechos, Orégano y Perejil y Cilantro, todas sus hojas se marchitaron y murieron. Ésta Semana los Empleados cortaron y pasaron bajo el plástico negro los tubos de PVC de 1", pues el Sol de comienzo de Verano está bien caluroso. Le recomiendo por mi mala experiencia de agua bien caliente qué ponga bajo los plásticos todos los tubos de PVC, de esta forma no regará agua caliente a las plantas jóvenes. Gracias por sus Videos.

[@lolitabonita08]

if savvy dirt needs translation of a very important tip let me know...i will be more than glad to do so for you...

[@danielfowler5940]

I would have mounted my timer out of the mist.

[@mattbay9246]

How did this work out for you?

[@savvydirtfarmer]

Fair. Successfully propagated a lot of plants, but I tore the whole thing down at the end of the season to re-work it this year. It will be better in 2024.

[@mattbay9246]

@@savvydirtfarmer if you were me would you it this way or the new way? If the new way could you explain? I’m getting to jump into propagation!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@mattbay9246 Do it the way I did it here, or similar. You have to account for the wind in some way, as the wind blows the mist away completely. You don't have to build it completely enclosed, by any means, but it's 1 part of the puzzle I missed last year.

[@mattbay9246]

@@savvydirtfarmer 👍🏻 I also don’t have electricity where I am going to build it. So the battery operated seemed like a good option. I was reading reviews and some good some bad but there’s always someone that has to complain. So be mindful of the wind. Maybe put shade cloth on the sides???? I’ve been wondering how did the hydrangea trees work out? Was there a follow up video for that? Thanks!

[@savvydirtfarmer]

@@mattbay9246 haven't updated yet, but they're doing well

[@Johnglenn-fr5ss]

Next time install all plumbing then cut line and tie in