Best place to set the evaporative humidifier?
 

I have ordered a large room evaporative humidifier. I already have two smaller ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers running in this large kitchen living room area where I have many orchids and several other house plants. I have forced hot air heat, and one heating duct in the living room. My question is since there's hot air blowing up through this heat duct would it be beneficial for me to place the evaporative humidifier next to the heat duct? Or should I have it across the room.? I purchased this because even with two small cool air mist humidifiers it's a struggle to keep the humidity up without using a pot on the stove. I want to be able to have the room right around 50% humidity throughout this winter. And I'm hoping these three units will do it. The room is not closed off. One end of the room opens up to a hallway that leads to bedrooms. the other part of the room opens up to the staircase that goes to the upstairs. it would be so much easier if it was just a closed room but it isn't.

Without the humidifiers and pots on the stove, what's your natural HR?

It would probably be around 38 or a little lower. That may not be harmful two plants I don't know, but I'm not happy with those numbers. I want it to be higher because I want them to be happier!

Have you considered purchasing a hygrometer? They're inexpensive and usually part of a temperature gadget that's used in the home for such purposes. I have 2 ultrasonic humidifiers placed about 10ft apart near the orchids and also have forced hot air heat. My humidity levels stay around 50 percent. Humidity trays placed under the plants also supplement nicely. Best I can do.

Yes I have three of them. Tells me the temps and the humidity levels.

---------- Post added at 05:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

I'm thinking part of the problem is is that this is a very old house and I know that would and rugs and furniture and all that stuff absorbs moisture in the air. And as again I said before this is not a large closed room it is a large room with two different areas that lead to different parts of the house. I'm probably way over thinking all this which I am prone to do.

If you have forced, hot air, why not add a whole-house humidifier to the plenum?

Last time I had hot air heating, it was simply a misting nozzle controlled by a humidistat - simple, cheap, effective.

I haven't looked into it Ray, but I just assumed I could not afford a whole house humidifier.

This is your main problem. In theory, you'll need to achieve 50% everywhere in your house that comunicates to the growing room. The type of equipment and the cost would make me think immediately in another solution.

I think you need something more "localized", maybe a cool mist humidifier aiming your growing area.

About the hygrometer, I completely agree. That's an essential tool for your growing area, even more if you're trying to achieve certain values. Without it you'll be only guessing.

Oh yes. I see what you mean now. I have been reading that when people buy humidifiers regardless of what kind it takes several days to get the humidity to stay because the area has to be humidified for several days. But here I am trying to humidify a large room that's open and several other areas to other rooms and it's just not happening. And that's why. And I currently do have the two ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers each one right beside the two main growing areas. One is my East living room window and the other is the one that's under the track lighting. But again as far as the evaporative humidifier that will be here on Friday, I don't really know where I should put it in this room. Maybe I shouldn't have bought it in the first place?

Well....maybe...:hmm

Another think you should consider is the type of plants you're growing...and remember, a lot of plants packed in one relatively small area it's enough to increase the HR in the vicinity of that area.
That's why a hygrometer is a valuable tool in this case.

I appreciate your suggestions. I have had these phalaenopsis orchids for close to 6 years now. I have purchased recently several broad-leaved (what I call regular house plants) such as the peace lily, to add to the overall humidity in the room. This is really ridiculous of me because last year it was a very bad year for me personally (My youngest daughter was killed), and I didn't think or worry about humidity at all. But since the personal tragedy last year has happened, I have obsessively focused on my orchids and plants, to the detriment of any outside relationships. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've had these orchids for quite some time actually 6 years and I'm becoming obsessive. If last year's humidity or lack of didn't do any harm, then I probably shouldn't be obsessing this way... forgive me getting so personal. I have a very bad cold and I am exhausted. I love the ob!

I am sorry about what you have had to endure and I hope you know that I wish you well and hope that your heart will heal.

Humidity is always helpful where plants and people are concerned. Sometimes good can be made better. There is nothing wrong with experimenting. You will know that you have too much humidity if you have water running down the walls (that actually happened to us when all three kids were on swim teams--towels, wet suits, long showers to get out the chlorine). The plants loved it, though.

Thank you...really.

I would at least look into Ray's suggestion. For the price of three small humidifiers, you could have made a dent in a whole house unit.

True.

If this has been covered, I apologize....

Humidity will try to become uniform throughout your home, but it will be most concentrated right at the humidifier outlet, so if that's close to your plants, they'll be fine.

Thank you Ray. Thank you all actually. I'm working on reeling in my obsessiveness around this whole humidity issue!🙄

I'm so sorry for your loss.:(
Since you'vee been not going out I think you should do it and meet firends and surrounded by people.

Thank you Roberta. I actually work with people. So When I have time off I'm happy with the downtime. And a real perk lately has been I've taken home 2 rescue orchids! Back to the humidity issue, my levels have been in the mid-50s since yesterday here. I don't know if that's because it's a little warmer outside, or that I've actually gotten the humidity in the room to be more balanced. Maybe I'll send back the evaporative humidifier when it comes!

50% is ok for your phals.
Keep monitoring its values in the vicinity of your plants.

greenpassion, my whole heart goes out to you. I hope you are lavishing on yourself the same care you show your orchids.

I'm working on it Beth Marie. And I posted it somewhere else earlier this evening, but the evaporative whole house humidifier that I got is absolutely wonderful. I just came home from work after being gone for 10 hours and the humidity is 51%. I love it!

That's great that your humidifier is doing what you were hoping it would do. 50% is better for the orchids, and probably also better for you as well.