Creating High Humidity Condition

[HiOrcDen]

I am reading about an Orchid which require 80%+ humidity. A humidifier is recommended for it. I was wondering if I could use a small portable greenhouse (just 2'x2'x3'), with a large humidity tray, and adjust the opening of the little greenhouse to regulate? If I want to keep it cool, could I place ice in the humidity tray? Or should I definitely use a humidifier for this

Also, a plant that I purchased, a Phragmipedium, states that the lower inch of the plant should be in water. Does this sound right, or perhaps they just meant an inch of water in the humidity tray?

[Ray]

In reverse order, in nature, some phrags live with their root systems having grown out into nearby streams, so some recommend standing the pot in water to simulate that.

I grow mine in semi-hydroponics, which does the same, but doesn’t have the risk of organic media decomposing, compacting, and suffocating the roots.

Onto humidity.

In a small, closed volume, a tray might raise the RH sufficiently, but any opening will allow it to disperse. Adding ice to a tray will reduce the water temperature, slowing evaporation.

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[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Ray

In a small, closed volume, a tray might raise the RH sufficiently, but any opening will allow it to disperse. Adding ice to a tray will reduce the water temperature, slowing evaporation.

READ THIS

I have a humidity tray in a small tent (tray footprint is the same as the tent) and when the tent is closed the humidity goes up to 90%. If I leave it slightly open (gap of a couple inches max) this drops to 70-75%.

[rbarata]

I have several orchids that have the same requirements but they thrive under conditions of 30 - 40%.
It depends on the species...some are more sensitive than others.

[Roberta]

Phrags in general can do nicely sitting in a saucer of water - they like wet feet. I have had some success with Phrag besseae and a couple of hybrids of it, in a pan of water with an aquarium bubbler circulating and aerating the water. I have them in inorganic medium (like pumice) mostly... and they have rooted quite vigorously out of their pots (or mostly baskets) into the water. This group needs a bit more light than most Phrags, I put them outside in spring/summer. (Have lost some below 40 deg F so I do protect them in colder months)