Humidity for indoor growing under l;ights

[katrina]

How low is your humidity? If you're growing mostly catts...I can tell you from personal experience that they will do just fine in lower humidity conditions.

In the winter when the lights are running and the furnace is going my space can drop down into the low 30%'s to upper 20% range. And in the summer (outside) the humidity can swing from the single digits to such high levels of humidity that it feels like you can cut the air w/a knife. Through it all...the catts never seem to skip a beat. Actually, I have more trouble in the summer when there is too much moisture/humidity...I battle botrytis on the flowers when there is too much moisture in the summer.

Catts, like phals, can grow and bloom quite nicely in humidity levels that are comfortable for humans. So, what is your average humidity w/out running anything?

[Joseia]

Our house is very dry in the winters, so I have been running humidifiers during the winter for a couple of decades. Over the years, the quality of their construction has declined. After having four of them die after 3-6 months of use (each was a different brand), I got tired of paying so much money for junk and built my own. I bought an ultrasonic fogger/mister, a 2 gallon bucket and lid from a hardware store and a PC fan to blow the mist out of the bucket. It works better than any humidifier I have ever bought at a store and after three years is still working great. I'm pretty sure I got the idea to build it from a post here on OB. I use RO water so that I don't have to deal with the fine white dust produced when using my tap water.

[Optimist]

I have an Idylis Humidifier which is more of a top end filterless. I bought it for around 10$ at a habitat for humanity "RE-Store." I love it. I grow my plants outside in the warm seasons and then in the winter I pull them in and try to keep them at at least 30% humidity. Humidity is also good for your health. Your nasal passages and lungs like a little humidity, also your home stays cleaner because there is less dander and are less dust mites.

[evargreen78]

do you use any lights with this set-up? I have been eyeing that type of indoor greenhouse but don't know if I can use my HPS light with it..

[dreamerfb2]

Evargreen: From what I have gleaned from the BOARD here, I would say DO NOT us HPS lights! Too much of the wrong spectrum, too hot, too much electrical usage for $$.
I'm using 2x24watts GroLux flourescent tubes over my plants in an East-facing window with venetian blinds about half way open. I started out with 2x24 watts HD agro tubes, and it was just too much light. They seem to like the light about 18 inches above, along with the half sunlight. The MOST difference seems to be in the humidity. Using an "egg-crate" style plastic over gravel to keep plants OUT of the water, with a little computer muffin fan for air circulation, water just up to top of gravel, topping it off every day or three. Light is almost imperceptable, as on the forest floor in half daylight. The kind that grows moss really well.

[naoki]

Dreamerfb2, actually HPS would be still one of the most efficient light. If you want to get the similar PAR efficiency of HPS (electronic ballast), you do need to go with fairly expensive LEDs. Fluorescent lights are no comparison in terms of PAR efficiency.

Here is the efficiency/economy comparison of different types of light:
PLOS ONE: Economic Analysis of Greenhouse Lighting: Light Emitting Diodes vs. High Intensity Discharge Fixtures

But I agree if you put HPS in a small indoor greenhouse, it can overheat. There are some ventilation solution for HPS, though.

[dreamerfb2]

Originally Posted by evargreen78

do you use any lights with this set-up? I have been eyeing that type of indoor greenhouse but don't know if I can use my HPS light with it..

I use 24 inch flourescent tube lights. I suppose you can use any kind of light you wish. I think HPS would be too much, but it is your choice.