Humidity trays

[Carebear2]

The power of suggestion is big on this forum. 6 people believing something doesn't mean much.

Lets not forget Dirtycoconuts recently organised a big forum parade dedicated to his discovery of humidity trays.

They have their place but humidity is easily blown away also, I keep saying they work and they don't work - they need to be used properly and trap humidity otherwise they can be pointless.

Semi hydro is similar, it works but it mostly does not work - still doesn't stop people keep trying it and posting about their short term success growing in water.

I've come to just think meh, the mass orchid trade kills far more orchids than s few hobbyist experiementing with bad methods so I will let people experiment - I know experimenting with my orchids is fun.

As to the price of those trays - complete rip off!

You can get a cat litter tray here for a couple of quid from the pet store and some stiff wire fence panels. Cut the fence panel to size and for probably less than 5 dollars you can make the same thing yourself far cheaper.

[Ray]

WOW. You've been doing so well with this username iteration so far... I recently jumped onto a good comment you made and was thinking "Hey! Maybe he's turned over a new leaf. There's hope", but now you've let us down again.

Originally Posted by Carebear2

The power of suggestion is big on this forum. 6 people believing something doesn't mean much.

Lets not forget Dirtycoconuts recently organised a big forum parade dedicated to his discovery of humidity trays.

Why do you have to be such an ass to the others here at this forum?

They have their place but humidity is easily blown away also, I keep saying they work and they don't work - they need to be used properly and trap humidity otherwise they can be pointless.

This statement would have been fine, with a bit more explanation.

As you suggested in this paragraph, it's containment that's the issue, as the water coming from any source is trying to humidify the whole room and whole house. Humidity trays just don't have the evaporative capacity to keep up unless the flow of water vapor away from them is quite limited, which was Dirtycoconuts' situation.

Avian - read this for more info.

Semi hydro is similar, it works but it mostly does not work - still doesn't stop people keep trying it and posting about their short term success growing in water.

Again, more inanity from an apparent imbecile that refuses to learn. There are two things wrong with that statement that demonstrate your ignorance: semi-hydro works very well for a lot of folks, and it is not "growing in water".

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Carebear2

The power of suggestion is big on this forum. 6 people believing something doesn't mean much.

Lets not forget Dirtycoconuts recently organised a big forum parade dedicated to his discovery of humidity trays.

It's not a matter of believing or not but to look to the objective evidences instead.
Try to use trays in a room with an RH lower than 20% (and not with a higher humidity as DC probably have) and tell us what you find.

[WaterWitchin]

I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it. ~ George Bernard Shaw

[DirtyCoconuts]

THERE WAS A PARADE???????? AND I MISSED IT?!?!


humidity trays work in enclosed areas....and i did just discover that applying science to a situation to improve it works, magnificent!!!


on a slightly focused and topical response....i made (and titled that thread) to help people BETTER use the trays INSIDE TERRARIUMS.

not everyone already knows everything as CareBear2 does....some people might benefit from the experience of others to help guide them.

"learn from the mistakes of others, you will not live long enough to make them all yourself"




"never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference"

[farley101]

I'll second DC's example of using humidity trays in an enclosed space.

I have a very small (28"W x 20"D x 65"H) "greenhouse" that I had been using to keep my warm plants happy over the winter, now it's a seedling nursery. I use trays with the egg crate light panels cut to fit. I was able to keep 80+% humidity all winter when the house was barely at 30%.

This is a very specific use case and there isn't much square footage to keep humidified so this worked well. Using one in a large room is not going to do much. Still surprised that the AOS recommends humidity trays in most of the culture sheets as a way to increase humidity.

[Mr.Fakename]

I'd add a vote to the relative ineffectiveness of humidity trays.

A few weeks ago I got a plant carry tray (I think it's called that way, English hard); filled it with lava rocks and put some water in.
It somehow worked but not as anticipated, instead of raising humidity around the plants it just kept the bottom of the pots super wet and slowed down evaporation in the media.

Maybe it has its place for certain specific plants and conditions, but for home use, I'll pass.

[Carebear2]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it. ~ George Bernard Shaw

That is probably the best quote I've heard all year. I have wrestled with Ray lots and he does seem to enjoy it.

Now he has resorted to insulting me like he always likes doing. It's the same story with Ray every time and I am suspecting he makes new accounts every week that praise him althoguh he never posts any pictures of his orchids, never really helps anyone cause his advice is always a bit theoretical, with no real sign of expereince.

Farley has been the only member here who has impressed me with his expertise and experience. I will praise members where it is due.

You Ray are a little child on the other hand so yeah I do have a problem with you but no need to go insulting other members like you have done and I did not. Probabbly no infraction or warning for insulting me either.

8 people here have voiced their opinion that humidity trays don't work. I could go take offence to that too. But who cares. as soon as I point out that semi hydro doesn't work because roots need to breathe - you become personally offended.

Nothing to do with me, I know how to grow plants. Orchids are similar to other plants - they just like less nutrients, maybe a slightly different ratio of nutrients and the biggest difference they need over other plants is more aeration. This is why orchids don't do well in soil - they need more aeration than other plants - it's very simple really but too much for some people to grasp although I think you Ray know very well that roots submerged in water does not work which is why you have given up on semi hydro yourself.

Still every week I see a new account with no posts coming along and praising you for introducing them to semi hydro. It's a bit lame if you ask me.

[Ray]

Here's another quote for you: Ignorance is bliss.
But I guess you already know that.

These are all S/H plants:





When first potted:

About 18 months later:






I could show hundreds more.

[WaterWitchin]

You are past entertaining CareBear2. My apologies to Avian, but just go ahead and roll with it. Spew all that out. Unbelievable. Here's your chance.

I'm not gonna shut this down for now. I'm too intrigued by your words. Get 'er done.

BUT... let's not get too up close and personal with bashing semi-hydro, because that's how I grow, almost exclusively, and I post pictures regularly. Having said that... I'm up for seeing how this goes.

Imma go put myself in time out for being a bad moderator. If y'all want to argue with CareBear, have at it for now. Imma watch.