This thread got interesting while I was gone. Also I've changed a few things!
1. My bark arrived, and I opted to repot both of them in 75% bark + 25% sphag, now. The pots are larger, which may contribute to higher humidity levels as water evaporates against greater surface area? Well see. In any case, the new Phal is no longer packed with 2 old layers of sphag, and will hopefully be happier in the new medium after some adjustment. The smaller Phal was due for a repot too, so she's also done.
2. My hygrometers arrived! I have 2 so that I can compare ambient setup against a test setup. I've been testing to see what type of humidity and temperature levels I have to work with on that window sill to begin with, and see if the humidity tray is even helpful at all. I'm afraid that humidity levels are too low for comfort at times, but am still monitoring to understand what's happening up there. (It dropped to as low as ~25% on a hot afternoon and seemed to rise to ~60% at night). I just need to continue monitoring to understand what I'm working with as I make adjustments.
3. I dedicated the little humidity tray to the smaller Phal and put the larger one in a squat vase with a humidity setup in the bottom. Hygrometers indicate that it doesn't seem to make much difference still. I'll let them stay there as I monitor though.
Regarding air movement, the draft from the AC falls below the level of the window sill into the sink. During the summer, we have air movement almost constantly as the AC struggles to keep the house cool from 100F+ days. The plants are not in the draft, but there is definitely air movement near them. No stagnant air here. No direct drafts either. I think we're good on gentle air movement.
I've changed a lot of variables, and want to give the setup a few days to observe before making additional changes. I am concerned about a small amount of direct afternoon light, and may throw up a frosted window adhesive to diffuse some of the direct light. The high degrees on the hygrometers in the picture are from (I think) shipping, but I will be working from home for a few days this week, so I can keep an eye on it to be sure.
I am still shooting for 50%+ humidity at least, and may need to try other options if the recent changes don't do much to keep it steadily above 50%. Once I am able to maintain 50%+, I'd like to back off and observe for a bit.
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