Cups of boiling water to increase humidity?

[rocio]

Hi,
I don't know if it is an old wife's tale, but someone gave me this tip: to increase humidity when it's very dry, place cups of really hot water (almost boiling) next to the orchids ti increase humidity... do you think it's a good idea?

[kindrag23]

I am not sure why it would have to be close to boiling. I would imagine that if it were a warm enough day that the waters evaporation would help raise humidity anyway but lord knows I am not all knowing haha. But I am sure that other members would chime in.

[cbuchman]

I think the increase in humidity would be small and fleeting. Once the water cooled the rate of evaporation would be significant decreased. However, if the space is enclosed, this will work. I have two small table top glass "greenhouses" that I often put hot tap water into the bottom (the orchisd sit on a tray above the water). This is an effective means of raising the humidity in the enclosed space.

[Subrosa]

Why not just get a small humidifier?

[PaphMadMan]

A lot of effort for a few minutes of limited benefit.

[Chris17]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Why not just get a small humidifier?

I agree--get a humidifier. The effect of boiling water is fleeting. I've tried it.

[Dave S.]

In my terrariums, I pump fresh air 24x7 into bowls of water via a hose to an aquarium air pump. The air bubbles break the surface tension of the water to release small amounts water into the air via enhanced evaporation/ light splashing.

I find filling humidifiers to be too much of a hassle, but it too would work well.


I also grow many plants together so that leaf transpiration from one plant to another raises the humidity.

I topdress nearly all my pots with live sphagnum moss which also raises the humidity a bit at the base of each plant.

Boiling water should also work, but I prefer the lights to raise the terrarium temperature, so there is no need for an external heating source for my setup.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Dave S.

In my terrariums, I pump fresh air 24x7 into bowls of water via a hose to an aquarium air pump. The air bubbles break the surface tension of the water to release small amounts water into the air via enhanced evaporation/ light splashing.

I find filling humidifiers to be too much of a hassle, but it too would work well.


I also grow many plants together so that leaf transpiration from one plant to another raises the humidity.

I topdress nearly all my pots with live sphagnum moss which also raises the humidity a bit at the base of each plant.

Boiling water should also work, but I prefer the lights to raise the. terrarium temperature, so there is no need for an external heating source for my setup.

The set up with an airstone is how I set up seedlings when I first deflask them.

[rocio]

Thanks so much to all!! I guess I'll stick to the humidity trays and misting while I get a humidifier!! !!

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[lexusnexus]

In a room with no enclosure I'm not sure how much a humidifier would help, especially if you live in a very dry climate. Any humidity you put in the room would quickly be lost. My recommendation would to find a way to enclose your orchid(s) in something large enough to comfortably hold them and pump moisture into that enclosure. If you keep all of your doors closed and have a humidifier large enough you could do your whole house. Even then you will no recreate a tropical rainforest. Unless there is a door open for awhile you should be fine.