Misting - Orchid Board

butterfly79 · #1 06-02-2010, 05:22 PM

What is this all about misting? Should I be misting my orchid?

xristie9 · #2 06-02-2010, 05:30 PM

some orchids like it, some don´t and some just must have it...

Royal · #3 06-02-2010, 06:13 PM

Misting is overrated. When it rains in the tropics - it really RAINS. If you're misting as a watering method, there are much faster ways to soak a plant.

If you're misting for humidity, it's just a short-term solution to a long-term problem. If the environment is humid, there's no need to mist. If the growing area is dry, misting only increases humidity for a few minutes. Misting can also cause issues with fungi.

shadytrake · #4 06-02-2010, 08:18 PM

I use my misting system in the shadehouse to cool it down, mostly for my own enjoyment so that I'm not in a sauna when I'm working out there.

I also have a few cool/intermediate growers that appreciate it. I don't use it for watering because I use semi/hydro or rafted medium (which are watered with a hose wand every morning).

natasha · #5 06-02-2010, 10:43 PM

i use shower function when i water my chids. it is much softer effect and don't damage the new growths. i also use misting, just to ensure all the nooks and crannies get some water. but actually i just like watering my plants... and playing with the thing...

Ray · #6 06-03-2010, 11:35 AM

Evaporation

butterfly79 · #7 06-03-2010, 12:37 PM

I understand humidity is important. My apartment tends to be dry, especially in the winter. When the AC is on it's not as dry but I would say the humidity is lower in my apartment then in a home.

Misting doesn't sound like it would help much, other than cause more issues then need be.

quiltergal · #8 06-03-2010, 05:36 PM

Misting IMO is a waste of time. As Royal pointed out it only raises your humidity for a nano second. You're much better off buying a humidifier. Read Ray's excellent link to evaporation.

Orchid126 · #9 06-03-2010, 05:36 PM

Of all the cultural issues you need to consider about orchids, misting is lowest on the list.

RosieC · #10 06-03-2010, 07:02 PM

I think there is a difference between spraying and misting. I often say misting when what I actually do is spraying.

I spray arial roots because I find it the easiest way to water roots which are at strange angles and a it's going to be difficult to twist to dunk them in the same pot I'm dunking the medium in. I can also spray arial roots between watering to keep them hydrated with humidity is low.

I'm not trying to raise humidity and I'm not watering the plant as a whole, just giving some regular water to the arial roots. If the arial roots are easy to dunk in the watering water though then they get that instead.

I agree that misting will not raise humidity for more than a fraction of a second, and that it is not generally a good way of watering. Also as has already been said, for some orchids misting or spraying the leaves can cause rot.

That is why my mounted orchid is not misted or sprayed (except very ocasionally). By far the most efficent way to water that is to dunk it, mount and all, for a few minutes a day. Even spraying is not enough to keep that hydrated.