Humidifiers: make or break

[WhiteRabbit]

I mentioned the possibility to increase water because it may not occur to people that watering needs may change with the weather ...

I don't want my comment to cause you to OVER water ;p - if you don't already, use a skewer or pencil to check the media

[Polarizeme]

The warmer growing plants that I have to bring in for the winter go into a "greenhouse" of sorts made out of plastic sheeting and tubular metal. Lowes has these for about $39.00. On the bottom I have a tray full of sphagnum moss that is wet. I also have a small fan in there to move the air around. I added a couple of light sticks to bring a little more light in because my windows are small and shaded.
If you can’t go to that length, setting up simple plastic sheeting over a couple of plant stands might do the trick for you. Use a thin clear sheeting so they can get the regular light you’ve been providing. Be sure to provide fresh air and air movement.

[Leafmite]

I grow my bulbo ambrosia in a flat salad tray with a thin layer of sphagnum moss that is always kept damp. It seems to be a set up that keeps it happy. It grows like crazy.

[orchids44]

My home in NC currently has 17 - 20% humidity. My chids would not survive without a humidifier. Prior to introducing the humidifier a few years ago my plants were plagued with spider mites and other "dry" lover insects/diseases. It's worth spending the $$$. I've purchased 2 good used ones from Craigslist. Just my Works for me.
Can't wait until we can bring the plants outdoors so they can enjoy our high humidity. Love living in the South!!!

[No-Pro-mwa]

I also use humidifiers. For me and the orchids, I really, really hate getting shocked and for some reason I get shocked more than most people. Static electricity I mean I seem to have an electrifying personality hee, hee, hee.

I just got 3 Masdevillias before Christmas and I have a really small one in the window with all 3 around it. It is still not where the humidity should be. Have a bigger one in the living room. I am hauling water all the time as I can't use my well water, but on a good note I found a good place to get RO water.

Liana I have been wanting to get one of those little green houses.

[Polarizeme]

No-pro-mwa
What does that mean?

Get one of these little greenhouses. You won't be sorry. The more you put in them the better the humidity stays. I got a "boot tray" from Lowes to put in he bottom shelf. It's a perfect fit. It hold moss to keep the humidity up. You can use whatever you like in that regard, it sure keeps the humidity at a nice level.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Ordphien

Also depends what your growing and how your growing it

Very much the case in point.

My catts do just fine, for example, and my winter RH is 30% with a humidifier running 24/7. I have others ... mainly of the Pleurothallid alliance that seem to have a rougher time of it -- especially if they are trying to bloom. When RH is really low, they tend to abort their blooms/buds.

Mounted plants will tend to suffer more than potted. Many of the micro minis will have a very hard time with extremely low RH.

That said, I do run a humidifier in my apt 24/7 -- because without it my winter RH would fall to single digits. And when the RH gets much below 30%, I itch constantly.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Originally Posted by Polarizeme

No-pro-mwa
What does that mean?

Get one of these little greenhouses. You won't be sorry. The more you put in them the better the humidity stays. I got a "boot tray" from Lowes to put in he bottom shelf. It's a perfect fit. It hold moss to keep the humidity up. You can use whatever you like in that regard, it sure keeps the humidity at a nice level.

Are you asking me what the name means?

[Polarizeme]

Yes... what's in a name!

[No-Pro-mwa]

Well it is just a dumb name. I am not much good at these things and I wanted something different than what I use on my dog forums.

I didn't really know what I was doing so I decided to put that I was no pro at it. How about yours what does it mean?

By the way my name is Shannon. probably should have just used that.