Humidity - Orchid Board

The Orchid Kid · #1 02-26-2013, 06:32 AM

I have got about 50% humidity in my house - is this enough for my orchids (phals, paphs, cambrias, miltonia)?

Assuming I should increase humidity, which is the best way? I have heard very contrasting opinions on many of them....

- Humidity trays (with/without clay pellets)
- Humidifier
- Simply grouping more plants together
- Daily misting
- Terrarium growing
- Emigrating to the rainforests

- Anything else?

RosieC · #2 02-26-2013, 06:54 AM

I have similar humidity in the house and successfully grow phals, paphs and a cambria (the last is not a real genus by the way, but covers a range of intergeneric oncidium genuses). I also used to have a miltonia and it grew well for several years. I don't believe it's demise related to humidity so I think you should be OK with that as well.

As far as increasing humidity, I don't believe humidity trays work. Those who have actually used a humidity meter around them realize that they only increase it a cm or so above the tray... not high enough to affect the plants.

I group plants together partly because I'm short on space, but also because some have thought it helps, but I doubt it has a significant effect.

Misting can help but can also cause rot if water is sitting on the leaves. I sometimes mist the arial roots on phals, but I'm quite random about doing that.

A humidifier is the most successful at raising humidity I've not done it in the home because I don't really want higher humidity for me

A Terrarium is a good way, but I think unnecessary for the genuses you name. You can do really tiny terrarums, or larger ones. A show here in the UK that I went to had someone demonstrating how you could use tiny ones some of the tiny orchids, or you could use those bell shape plastic covers they sell in garden centers to make them, or even an old pop bottle for a tiny orchid. It looked quite cool, but I've never tried, apart from trying to keep my greenhouse floor damp in the summer I've never actually done anything to raise humidity (and I grow more humid loving masdies out in the greenhouse).

Basically if you have similar UK conditions to me, and the genuses you mention I don't believe you should have any problems. Arial roots might shrivel when you bring plants home, but generally I find new arial roots grow tailored to my environment which don't shrivel.

Just my experience

SlipperGirl · #3 02-26-2013, 12:11 PM

your humidity is fine you dont need to do anything

What I do to raise the humidity is I have my plants on humidity trays mist them and when the humidity gets really low 45% or less I turn a humidifier on.

The Orchid Kid · #4 02-26-2013, 05:58 PM

thankyou. The books seem to mention humidity trays, but the common perception is that they are next to useless.

I think I'll just keep misting for the little it does.

What humidity % would become too low for good cultivation?

SlipperGirl · #5 02-26-2013, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Orchid Kid

thankyou. The books seem to mention humidity trays, but the common perception is that they are next to useless.

I think I'll just keep misting for the little it does.

What humidity % would become too low for good cultivation?

I dont let it go below 40%

WhiteRabbit · #6 02-26-2013, 07:05 PM

Summer daytime humidity where I live is usually in the 20%s or lower. Generally, my orchids receive NO special treatment as far as attempts to raise humidity - most attempts would be pretty futile (except for terrariums), even indoors, with no a/c and windows opened ...

I know there are types of orchids that wouldn't tolerate the dryness- I try to stay away from those - but most Catts, Onc, commonly grown Dens, Phals, Cyms are fine with it. Humidity does go up at night, so at least it isn't THAT dry 24/7... but limited periods of low humidity shouldn't be a problem for many of the commonly grown orchids.

james mickelso · #7 02-27-2013, 08:54 AM

Humidity is not an issue for most orchids unless it desicates the roots. And that would be extreme dryness. 50% is just right. It stays between 40 and 60% here and they grow just fine. Good water and good culture are the best way to get good orchids.

silken · #8 02-27-2013, 10:16 AM

I wouldn't want the humidity in my home to go too far past 50%. You could be looking at mold and other humidity damage problems to your home if you do. If you have a special room that is totally sealed and water proofed, then you might be OK.

Bud · #9 02-27-2013, 06:51 PM

If you live in an apartment or flat that is central climate controlled; chances are you have a low humidity just like me....so I invested on 3 gallon humidifier that I fill up every morning=it comes with small oscillating fans.... 50% humidity is fine for the plants you mentioned....I have Vandas and miniature tropical plants that needs more than 50% humidity.

* no need to relocate to the rainforests....I have read about a hobbyist in Siberia who grows Vandas inside an old wine cooler glass box with lights....and the blooms are bigger and flatter than most grown in GH

The Orchid Kid · #10 02-27-2013, 08:59 PM

thankyou everyone. I am much more reassured on this issue now. Once the central heating goes off and windows get open I am guessing it will rise more anyway.

Silken - good point, maybe not wise to introduce too much damp into your home generally.