Some general Phal questions...

[Discus]

I should probably note that RH that high (70%+) is not really suitable in your home.

Oh, and ferts formulated for tap water will probably drop the pH.

[The Mutant]

Yup, I hadn't planned to try to get it any higher. I've been reading about RH values and humidifiers today so I think 50-60% is as high as I dare to go, any higher and problems like mold and other nasty things might develop.

I don't know if we have any fertilizer formulated for tap water here in Sweden since using peat to lower the pH value is the best suggestion I've got so far. Otherwise I think someone over at the Swedish orchid forum would have mentioned it. Peat will be available soon when the gardening season starts, so it's no major issue.

[Discus]

Alternatively you can use an acid like phosphoric or citric. Citric is used in food, so you can sometimes find it even in supermarkets.

I bought a cheap one for my GF who's in Poland for 6 months; the "control" on that merely controls a rheostat on the fan...! The ones I (had) have here have hygrostats built in, so they turn themselves on and off as required.

[The Mutant]

Seriously? Citric acid lowers the pH value in tap water and doesn't add anything that Phals don't like? It almost sounds too good to be true...

---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:24 PM ----------

Okay, just read that there's phosphoric acid in Coca Cola, but I doubt it's a good alternative to give the chids.


---------- Post added at 02:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------

Okay, with the cunning use of "wet towels on warm radiator" I've increased the HR around the chids to 42%! Go me!

Now I'll see what happens if I put a large bath towel over the radiator (it's a safe radiator so the towels won't burst into flames or similar).

Maybe I won't need to buy an expensive humidifier after all.

[camille1585]

I used to the same towel-over-the-radiator trick in the winter, before I got my hygrometer. Turns out that since it's always so darn wet in this country, the humidity indoors is always above 50%, and usually between 60-70%. When I have a load of laundry hanging to dry, the room goes up to 90% even!

[The Mutant]

Woah! Really?! How can you stand it? The humidity has risen to 46-48% in the kitchen now and I can't even stand five seconds of being in there. I suppose it all has to do with what you are used to and for the sake of my Phals (and cats) I think I should get used to it quickly.

[camille1585]

I think I must be used to it now....

[Discus]

no, the sugar will encourage bad things. Without the coke though... I know several people that use it (phosphoric) in PE successfully; their tap water ranges from 8 to 9.something(!).

[The Mutant]

But citric acid works? If it does, I'll go buy some at my local supermarket because it's sold there apparently.

[Discus]

Ray sells it, and I pretty much trust what he says implicitly https://www.firstrays.com/cgi/cart/c...=241&keywords=