Quote:
Originally Posted by Dollythehun
Ouch. I use a humidity tray (s) and in my small "orchid jail" I did notice a slight increase in humidity with a tray and leca. Granted, it was only a few points but, it got me up to 50%.
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The only place/time I really actively manage humidity is when I have orchids indoors (mostly late October through later February for this past winter). I don't have a one-size-fits-all approach to managing humidity. I do several things (low cost) that contribute to keeping air humid around the plants:
- I keep plants on pebble trays (gasp!!). I side with Dolly on using pebble trays, because I like the drainage and drip management they provide, and anything they add in terms of humidity management is a bonus.
- I keep plants close together on plant shelves so that plants transpire and create humid air near the plants. Where possible, leafy plants (e.g., peace lily) are at the outside edges of individual plant shelves, because they have many leaves and more surface area to generate humidity.
- Most plants are in unglazed terracotta pots, which evaporate a lot of humidity through the porous ceramic.
- Behind the shelves, and protecting the wall, is a cloth shower curtain. It absorbs just enough water to prevent dripping and the water absorbed evaporates to add to air humidity.
- The plant shelf is in a corner that somewhat limits air flow; this is balanced by being near an air vent which increases air flow. (No idea which side is winning).
I can't quantify my humidity, especially in terms of RH at specific distances above the pebble tray. I can say that plants that are susceptible to "accordion leaves" in low humidity have normal leaves under the conditions I describe, so I am interpreting that as indicating the humidity is sufficient.
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