Providing Humidity Indoors-Warm mist or Cool mist

[FourN6]

Hello,

I recently set up an indoor "greenhouse" for some of my smaller orchids. The temperature in the space has certainly improved and sits around 80F give or take a few degrees during the day if I leave a small fan running. Without the fan, temps go up to near 90F. At night the temperature may only drop 10 degrees since its summer but in the winter I'll get a much more drastic drop since I keep my house pretty cool.

One thing I have noticed is that I still struggle with humidity, despite it being summer. Humidity in the growing space is typically around 40%. I have multiple humidity trays but its not enough so I want to invest in a small humidifier for the space.

My question is: Should I purchase a warm mist or cool mist system? Both are affordable and small enough for my growing area. Recommendations are much appeciated. Thanks!

[AvantGardner]

Cool mist! I ran a warm mist one for weeks, when I cleaned it out there was bacterial growth Everywhere!! Gross, very unhealthy, get a cool mist or ultrasonic.

[wintergirl]

Use a cool humidifier. I use a table top one with a filter. If you use the ultrasonic it can put an unhealthy powdery dust in the area.

[estación seca]

If you use distilled, rain or reverse osmosis water in your cool mister, there will be no mineral deposits left on everything.

[Orchid Whisperer]

An alternative to a mechanical humidifier iscto grow companion plants in the same space as your orchids.

For example, peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) grow happily in much less light than is required by orchids (therefore don't take up precious space on windowsills or under lights). They have broad leaves that transpire a lot of humidity into the air. As long as you keep the plant watered, and provide minimal light, they are trouble-free. Another benefit is that they leave no mineral deposits at all, regardless of what kind of water you use. Also, no power required, nothing to break.

There are many other potential companion plants that you could use.

[FourN6]

Thank you all for the recommendations!

[Tindomul]

I would also go with filling it with more plants. Its amazing how well that works.
As for the humidifier, I would also go with a cool mist humidifier.

[fishmom]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

An alternative to a mechanical humidifier iscto grow companion plants in the same space as your orchids.

For example, peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) grow happily in much less light than is required by orchids (therefore don't take up precious space on windowsills or under lights). They have broad leaves that transpire a lot of humidity into the air. As long as you keep the plant watered, and provide minimal light, they are trouble-free. Another benefit is that they leave no mineral deposits at all, regardless of what kind of water you use. Also, no power required, nothing to break.

There are many other potential companion plants that you could use.

Wait a minute, you mean that some plants transpire more than others? (not a botany major here, obviously!) I know if my grow-tent is more full of orchids, the humidity is better, but if I use different types of plants will I get even more humidity? Can you recommend some smaller plants for an indoor greenhouse?

[Leafmite]

Some plants definitely transpire more than others. Rain forest trees, for instance, create their own climate. I worried about growing a Theobroma cacao as it is a rain forest tree. No problem. It creates its own humidity. The plants that grow around it are very happy indeed.

[estación seca]

The reason some plants need watering more often is because they transpire more water than other plants. So, use plants that need lots of watering: peace lily/Spathiphyllum; Pothos or whatever it is this week, Dracaena, Dieffenbachia, Coleus or whatever that got changed to that I don't recall, Chinese evergreen/Aglaonema.