Whole house humidifiers

[Orchidhound56]

If I bought a whole house humidifier would it raise my humidity? I have 50% humidity already in my house. I would like 60 - 65% humidity or higher. Would I have to worry about mold and rotting wood in my house? If I got a whole house humidifier what brand should I get? Thanks for your help.

[Nexogen]

50% is acceptable for a lot of orchids but if you want 60 - 65% humidity or higher I think is cheaper to buy a terrarium.

[james mickelso]

You don't need higher humidity. People grow orchids in Montana, Colorado, Aridzona, and even in Alaska. Humidity at the roots is where it is important. The micro climate in the root zone is where you need to keep it higher. 50% is ideal. Another 10 or 15 percent is not going to make it any better. There are some orchids which need high humidity but most of us don't ever grow them. Somewhere on this boards advertising there is a fan type mister which puts out lots of fog. A friend of mine uses them in his green house to help cut down on watering. It's like super fog. Doesn't get anything wet but the humidity is like 90%. Gubler's orchids in the upper desert here in SoCal grows in 20-30% humidity and they grow wonderful phals and catts.

[LadySoren]

Move to south florida.

Honestly, I wouldn't humidify your whole house like that. I grew up in South Florida and yeah, mold and stuff is a real concern. Maybe there is some way to route the steam from your shower/bathroom through vents to your grow area. lol

[Corsetière]

LadySoren, I have been tempted to try to grow orchids in my shower. We have a floor to ceiling glass block window in there. If I mounted one of those poles that people use to hold their shampoo etc....

[LadySoren]

You totally could....

[Island Girl]

I think 50% is good enough, I wouldn't want to cause mold issues inside my house...

Originally Posted by Corsetière

LadySoren, I have been tempted to try to grow orchids in my shower. We have a floor to ceiling glass block window in there. If I mounted one of those poles that people use to hold their shampoo etc....

then you would end up taking REALLY loonnngggg showers!! You'd check them out, check for blooms/spikes, new growth... Then you'd run out of hot water before you had a chance to rinse your hair out! -at least, that's what would happen to me!

Seriously tho, that would work as long as you have adequate light in there...

[Corsetière]

Ha ha! Yes it would end up that way!

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by Orchidhound56

If I bought a whole house humidifier would it raise my humidity? I have 50% humidity already in my house. I would like 60 - 65% humidity or higher. Would I have to worry about mold and rotting wood in my house? If I got a whole house humidifier what brand should I get? Thanks for your help.

we have a whole house humidifier - you can really tell the difference in Winter, for yourself as well as the plants. In fact it wasn't working for a while one Winter and we were all itching and scratching, and coincidence or not, we all were sick with colds and then flu. Never again. I also find that you don't have to water as much in higher humidities.
Ours is an Aprilaire.

[Kevin_PR]

Originally Posted by Corsetière

LadySoren, I have been tempted to try to grow orchids in my shower. We have a floor to ceiling glass block window in there. If I mounted one of those poles that people use to hold their shampoo etc....

I did that in NY. HAHA what fun.

I agree with the other posts. I think you have enough humidity. When you increase humidity you also need to increase airflow, especially if you grow in pots. If the humidity is high and airflow is low the medium will become stagnant. Here in PR its pretty humid which allows me to grow a lot of plants mounted. There is always a breeeze and fresh air in the outdoors so air flow is not a problem.