Growing bonsai in a warm, dry climate can present challenges to the gardener. Hot winds can increase evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration from leaves. Elevated temperatures increase the rate of moisture loss, too.
"The next time you visit your home improvement center, check out the garden center for a display of misting products."
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Using a mist system can combat moisture loss in two ways:
- First, the evaporation of airborne mist can reducing the ambient temperature in the growing area up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. When countless microscopic droplets hit warm air, they evaporate almost instantly.
- Second, misting increases ambient humidity, which reduces further moisture loss by the plants.
A misting system like the one pictured below can be set up on an optional automated timer to operate only during the hottest periods or mist periodically throughout the day (good for propagation). Dropping the temperature a few degrees and giving a humidity boost can make the difference between plants that survive the summer and ones that flourish.
If you don't have the luxury of being able to check your plants at midday for peak watering needs, having a mist system attached to a timer may be just what you need to take the edge off the summer heat.
Photo #24023
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Product Details:
6070 Misting System
I have used misters like this to help humidify the area for collected California Juniper and it makes a big difference in cooling. The juniper can also absorb moisture through its foliage long before the root system starts working 100%. I wouldn't be surprised if that method is how it gets most of its moisture at night in the desert.
The rate of cooling depends on how dry the air is (if it is already moisture laden it can't cool as readily by evaporating more water) but if it is hot & dry, conditions are ideal for mist cooling.
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