How to Build a Fogger Hydroponic System

Fogger type hydroponic systems are a relatively new concept that is rapidly gaining popularity. This technique can produce amazing results and incredible hair roots unseen in most aeroponic systems. The nutrient is fed to the roots through a very fine mist or dry fog that is created by a ultrasonic transducer, not unlike those found in the dry fog humidifiers. Although the price of the transducer has dropped in recent years they are still not quite affordable enough for everyone.

This system plan is based on an idea that came to me while I was shopping at a local thrift shop, I noticed an abundance of dry mist home humidifiers and thought that I could fabricate a fogger type hydroponic system around one of them. I bought three of them for a $1 each and headed to the hardware store. After finding what I needed I started building..

I call this project experimental not because using dry mist is a new technique, rather that using a humidifier, instead of a regular submersible transducer, will produce the required droplet size and desired results. I am unaware that anyone has tried this as well and cannot find any manufacturers specs on this particular humidifier that state the droplet size it produces.

By all means this is experimental, and I am currently using the system to root a few Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) and some golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) cuttings. I will later update with the end results, as of now the clones are showing root tips after two days. If you would rather build a system with a submersible transducer this system should be adaptable.

I also added an aquarium pump to the fog chamber to help circulation and for additional oxygen. The unit I used is heated and should help keep the system at optimal rooting temperature.