Daily misting in a dry climate?

[Sardine]

From the "Humidity" article:

"Certainly, hand misting several times a day is good - if transient - but just don't leave them wet as night draws closer."

Think I got my answer. Thanks.

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[Jorge_Burrito]

I grow in a dry climate as well. One of the tricks I use is to place a small layer of sphagnum on the top of the growing medium. I don't like growing in sphagnum, but a little on the top doesn't seem to hurt. I will wet this in the morning, and it usually has dried out by the evening. It seems to work well as the sphagnum releases the moisture slowly and provides a longer lasting effect then just misting. Using my cheap hygrometer it gives me about a 10% boost throughout the day. Every little bit helps in a dry climate.

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[D-D-]

Hi, A comment from a very old guy. Orchids like any large order have individuals with vary wide ranging needs. However here in Ontario where indoor humidity during the winter is as low as many deserts our orchids (mostly phals) get only one root soakinf a week. Some orchids and all my other tender plants winer in a small building with one 12 ft by 16ft skylight at approx 50 deg F. It has electrical resistance heat and the only additional humidity (only begining this season) is evaperation from a 300 gallon goldfish container at room temp. D-D-

[Sardine]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I am doing a fair bit of it right then. I will definitely post some pics when these buggers decide to flower again.

Maybe another quick question - someone I spoke to said a monthly very light sprinkle of bonemeal is a good fertilizer for orchids. This true?

The trick now is to keep the phals happy in our hot summer weather!!

[Myst]

thanks alot ray ross and d-d-

im in ontario too and i've been feeling that my apartment is starting to feel "dry".

Im assuming that my phals maybe experiencing the same feeling and was wondering if they would benefit from my coolmist humidifier?

then I came here and saw this thread.
I read the humidity links

the passive methods like the humidity trays appear to be of very limited value, if any, and room-type humidifiers might offer only a minimal improvement. If you really want to do this right, consider closing off the growing room, or find a means to humidify your entire home, and remember that for many plants it is not necessary to have tropical humidity, but that we are shooting for a sufficient humidity to keep the plants from desiccating

it is not possible for me to close off the growing room.
so should i even bother with the coolmist humidifier?
would it even make any kind of a difference?

[D-D-]

Hi Myst, Any type of moistrure increase that makes you feel better will make the plants feel better. If you only have a few plants and are extremly worried try putting a clear plastic bag over them like a tent. Make cirtain
there is sufficient light and no direct sunlight.

[Myst]

thanks D-D-

but why no direct sunlight?

[D-D-]

Hi Myst, Because heat builds up very quickly in a confined space. That is the principal that cause solar heating to work. The 2 X 4ft skylight in my bathroom will kill plants if they do not hang well down in the room D-D-

[Myst]

aha! merci!